JOE’s Car Review: SEAT Leon FR

JOE’s resident petrol-head Oisín Collins has tried and tested the all-new SEAT Leon FR and he hasn’t shut up about it since.

SEAT has really stepped up its game with the latest line-up of cars and one of the stand-out achievers of the fleet has to be the new SEAT Leon. However, there’s a particular Leon that stands out even further and that’s the all-new SEAT Leon FR – the “tricked out” version, as SEAT calls it. Now, down to business… Car tested: SEAT Leon FR 2.0 TDI 150bhp - €27,325 The new Leon FR looks and feels like it’s aimed at young energetic audience who see their car as an extension of life and not just a five-door run-around, and that’s exactly what SEAT were going for on this one. Whether you’re driving to an important business meeting or just heading out to play some 5-a-side with the lads, the sleek Leon FR will make sure you get there quickly, smoothly and safely, while also ensuring you arrive in style. There's also plenty of room for the kids, if you've got any. The Drive ‘FR’ stands for 'Formula Racing' so you instantly expect to drive a car that’s fast, responsive and isn’t afraid to be pushed to the limits. That’s exactly what you get with the Leon FR. It was incredible to drive as it stuck to tight corners better than chunky peanut butter on a shag carpet and as Meatloaf might say, it takes off like a ‘Bat Out of Hell’. The car feels nice and solid on the road and that has a lot to do with the fact it uses the same chassis as the Audi A3 and VW Golf – and you can’t beat German engineering. You can choose between ‘Normal’, ‘Eco’ and ‘Sport’ modes and there are no prizes for guessing which one I used for 99.9 per cent of my driving. Eco ensures you burn as little fuel as possible, sport stiffens up the suspension and adds a little extra kick when you put the foot down, and normal is, well, pretty normal. As for efficiency, the new 2.0 TDI 150hp SEAT Leon FR only burns 106g/co2 per km putting it in Tax Band A3, which is pretty surprising - in a good way - and costs just €180 annually to tax. SEAT claim the new Leon FR can hit 0-100km in 8.4 seconds while the top speed comes in around the 215km/h mark. The Style From the interior to the exterior, the designers of the new Leon FR really have done a stellar job. The car sits nice and low and looks sporty without looking like a dodgy boy racer-mobile thanks to sharp lines on the exterior door panels and an overall sleek look. Inside, the dash and door panels again feature sharp lines and there’s plenty of room in the cabin making the car incredibly comfortable to drive. In fairness, for a hatchback, the car is pretty spacious throughout, but there might be a bit of a squeeze if you try to fit three of your rugby-playing mates in the back. When you select ‘Sport’ mode the interior ambiance lighting changes from bright white to a devilish red. While that doesn’t affect the performance of the car, it certainly looks seriously cool. The only thing I didn’t like about the interior of the new Leon FR (and it’s a problem with a lot of new cars) was the buttons on the steering wheel. While they make the infotainment system a lot easier to use when driving, they can get in the way when you’re turning tight corners, especially if you need to slide your hands around the wheel. Granted, it’s not a major issue and it might not get in the way of some drivers, but it kind of bugged me after awhile. Sex Appeal This car is seeping sex appeal. Even now, when I’m walking through town or sitting idly on a bus, I can’t help but turn my head every time I see a new Leon, whether it’s the FR or not; ten out of ten, in that regard. Options The FR comes with three different engine types including the 1.8TSI 180bhp (€26,825), the 2.0TDI 150bhp (tested) and the 2.0TDI 184bhp (€28,645). The FR is seriously ‘tricked out’ and you’ll find everything you’d expect from a top end car including front light sensors, rain sensors, rear parking assist, tinted windows, Bluetooth, cruise control and a whole host of other cool extras. Stats Price Range - €26,825 to €28,645 0-100 kph – 8.4 secs. Max Speed – 215kph Length – 4271mm Width – 1816mm Height – 1444mm The Verdict It was tough trying to find something wrong with the car and I truly enjoyed every single second in it. It stands out a more than other cars in its class and if you’re not one to follow the rest of the flock, but you want something with a good name, then this is the car for you. You can find loads more details over on SEAT.ie.