Pocket rocket that packs a real punch I

NEVER fail to be amazed at just how much power modern mechanical magicians manage to squeeze from ever-shrinking engines, A good case in point is this week’s test car - the revised for 2017 Seat Leon 1.4 FR - which can hit 62mph in a shade under eight seconds and go on to a top speed of 134, all with an engine size which not that long ago would have been considered somewhat weedy.

The SEAT/VW engineers now get 148bhp out of their 1.4 turbocharged petrol motor and yet still achieve MPG figures of almost 60 on the combined cycle something which seems entirely possible as I averaged the high 50s during a weekend of spirited driving in the beautiful British Cotswolds (no doubt helped by the engine’s party trick - seamlessly shutting down two cylinders when not required).

And the sporty SEAT with its firm suspension, great steering and willing engine was just the car to squirt along twisty country B roads in glorious sunshine - and I especially appreciated its excellent brakes when coming across road hogging tractors and other assorted agricultural machinery.

A reshaped bumper now features a stretched grille and revised headlights to give the front end a new look while three new exterior colours (including our car’s highly unusual ‘Bohemia’ metallic deep purple) and new alloy wheel designs are now available.

Inside, SEAT has taken great strides to improve quality and installed an Ateca-style layout with 8” touchscreen sat nav, electric hand brake and ambient lighting. There is also a new flagship XCELLENCE trim level that is the same price level as the FR models, but focuses more on luxury.

Under the bonnet there is a choice of a new entry level 115bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo a 115bhp 1.6-litre diesel and our 1.4 petrol. As before gearbox options include five and six-speed manuals and the superb DSG auto fitted to our test car.

Five trim levels are available - S, SE Dynamic, SE Technology, FR and XCELLENCE. And except for entry-level models, all Leon’s now come with a larger eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

This works well, is clear and easy to use except the sat nav which, for some reason, did not like postcodes - but perhaps this was a case of operator error.

The Leon also now shares other features with the Ateca such as wireless phone charging, Traffic sign Recognition and Traffic Jam Assist plus Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink.

Twin pipes at the rear set the FR apart from lesser Leons and this little hot hatch has the go to match its show feeling punchy and quicker to 62 that the quoted figure,

Thankfully comfortable seats help take the edge off the ride, with good side support when cornering. There’s plenty of room in both rows of seats as well, but the large rear pillars making things a little gloomy and hamper rear visibility.

The boot’s also pretty useful, though there’s a big drop from the opening to the boot floor.

Also on the standard kit list for the FR are: Dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors,cruise control (not adaptive), 17-inch alloy wheels, lowered suspension and full LED headlights.

All for a base price of £21,050 although our three door car had a few extras (including that striking paintwork at £575) plus keyless entry and go and storage and driving assistance packs which took the final on the road total to £22,825.