Seat expands Leon hot hatch family with new FR+

Wed, 10 Aug 2011

Buyers looking for a hot hatch could do worse than a Volkswagen GTI. But European buyers also have the option of going with its Spanish version, the Seat Leon, which offers a touch of Latin flavor along with a little bit more power than its German sibling often at a more attractive price. Now, the Iberian auto marque is expanding the range of its Leon FR with a choice of new engines.

Where the Leon FR was previously available with either a 208-horsepower 2.0-liter TSI or a 168 hp turbo-diesel, these have now moved up a notch to the new FR+. Underneath them, Seat is offering the more accessible 123 hp 1.4-liter TSI and 138 hp 2.0-liter TDI, giving buyers the sportier treatment but with smaller engines.

Overseas buyers can also opt for either a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG, but those looking for the more hardcore hot-hatch experience can still go for the Leon Cupra R, which also gets a subtle refresh to keep it current. Check out the whole family in the press release after the jump and the images in the high-res gallery for more.

FR+ IS A GREAT ADDITION TO SEAT'S SPORTY LEON RANGE

Bargain-hungry new car buyers should look no further than dynamic Spanish maker SEAT as they search for the best deals this September.

Aside from its raft of great-value offers and special finance incentives for the '61' plate change, SEAT is upgrading the appeal of its best-selling Leon with the showroom arrival now of a new FR+ derivative, as well as the extension of the FR badge to a broader engine range.

The changes mean the trademark sporty styling and sizzling performance of the Leon FR are now available to a wider range of buyers while equipment- and performance-hungry drivers now have the added option of the new, 'ultimate', Leon FR+.

Designed to extend still further the appeal of the FR trim level that, last year, was responsible for a whopping one in four Leon sales, the revisions see new engines added to the FR line-up.

The exciting FR hot hatch is now available as a 1.4 TSI 125 PS (manual only) or 2.0 TDI CR 140 PS (manual and DSG). The availability of lower-powered – but no less engaging – turbocharged petrol or diesel engines makes the FR range even more accessible to customers whose choices may be restricted by engine power, cost or insurance considerations.

Bristling with sports styling and packed with equipment, the Leon boasts FR front and rear bumpers, twin chrome exhaust pipe, trademark silver-painted door mirrors, stylish LED rear-light clusters, FR sports seats and steering wheel, rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights and auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

Meanwhile, the new Leon FR+ is a significant step up from the 'standard' FR trim in terms of both performance and equipment. It's available to order now with SEAT's powerful 2.0 TSI 211 PS and 2.0 TDI CR 170 PS engines.

The Leon FR+ takes the FR trim and adds arch-filling 18-inch 'Ibera' alloy wheels; the SEAT Media System 2.2, which includes satellite-navigation with five-inch colour touchscreen and dynamic route guidance, DAB radio, Bluetooth audio streaming and SD card slot; Bluetooth phone connection; Bi-xenon headlights with AFS (Adaptive Front-lighting System) and front parking sensors.

And the best news, perhaps, is that although the retail cost of this extra equipment when specified separately is £2,465 RRP, the price of the new Leon FR+ is up by just £1,070 RRP.

So, just in time for the September sales surge, SEAT's Leon FR line-up now starts at only £18,205 RRP for the Leon FR 1.4 TSI 125 PS, rising to £22,615 RRP for the lavishly equipped Leon FR+ 2.0 TDI CR DSG-auto 170 PS.

Finally, while the Leon Cupra has been withdrawn from the range SEAT has significantly improved the Cupra R trim by adding plenty of extra kit to this fire-breathing, 155 mph 'halo' model for no extra cost.

Already loaded with luxury features, the latest Leon Cupra R now offers, as standard, SEAT Media System 2.2, Bluetooth connectivity, Bi-xenon headlights with AFS and LED rear-light clusters.

This extra equipment is worth £1,665 RRP but despite its inclusion there has been no increase in the 265 PS Cupra R's price. In fact, the price of SEAT's most potent production car to date has actually been cut – by £10 – to £25,995 RRP!

Welcoming the sporty new additions to the SEAT range Steve Robertson, SEAT UK's Head of Marketing, said: 'The Leon FR has been an important mainstay of the SEAT line-up for some time, so it clearly makes sense to maximise its appeal.

'I think the showroom debut of these great new cars, which coincides perfectly with the important September plate change and makes the Leon FR range both more accessible and more attractive, should keep our dealers very busy!'

For full details of the entire SEAT range, including the latest prices and a great interactive car configurator, simply visit www.seat.co.uk

By Noah Joseph