The city of Madrid will set the stage for the World debut of the new León FR, which plays without doubt the lead role on the SEAT stand. Whether viewed outside, inside or under the bonnet, this dynamic new model is clearly set apart from the rest of the León range.

2006 Seat Leon FR

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2006 Seat Leon FR
  • Horsepower: 200@0
  • Torque: 1800

2006 Honda Civic Si

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2006 Honda Civic Si
  • Segment: Array
  • Engine/Motor: 2.0L Inline-4
  • Horsepower: 197@7800
  • Torque: 6200
  • Transmission: 6-speed manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
The car’s sporty design is set-off by exclusive FR bumpers, polished stainless steel twin tailpipes and silver-painted door mirror housings, which really stand out from the rest of the body. Exclusively styled 17-inch wheels, which can be upgraded to still more striking 18-inch versions as an option, help to bestow the León FR with even greater visual impact than its predecessor.
 
Inside the SEAT León FR, both driver and front passenger will discover exceptional sports seats, with the ‘FR’ initials boldly embroidered into the backrests. Once the driver is sat in place, the eye is immediately caught by the sporty looks of the exclusively designed leather steering wheel and gearshift knob, as well as by the metal-look plates they bear with the ‘FR’ initials stamped into them. And as if that wasn't enough, a quick glance at the instrument cluster, with its white background replacing the customary black, is enough to confirm this model's sporty nature.
 

Maximised performance

 
Two power units, one petrol and one diesel, form the true heart and soul of the León FR. The newest of the two is the 200 hp 2.0 TFSI engine being premiered in the petrol model. It produces maximum torque of 206 lbs-ft on tap between 1,800 and 5,000 rpm, which makes for excellent in-gear acceleration. As a result, the car accelerates from 50 to 75 mph in just 7.0 seconds in fifth gear, and in 8.9 seconds in sixth.
 
Powered by this engine, the León is propelled from 0 to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, goes on to reach a top speed of 142 mph and covers 1000 m from a standing start in a highly impressive 27.6 seconds. And yet it is capable of returning an average fuel consumption figure of 7.9 litres per 100 km, along with CO2 emissions of 190 g/km.
 
As far as the diesel version is concerned, the León FR is driven by the same highly sophisticated 170 hp 2.0 TDI engine first showcased by its sibling, the SEAT Altea FR. With this powerplant, the León can achieve a top speed of 132 mph with a 0 to60 mph sprint in 8.1 seconds and average fuel consumption of just 6.0 litres per 100 km.

Altea FR 2.0 TFSI with 200 hp

 
Also making its first appearance at the Madrid Motor Show will be the new version of the Altea FR powered by the 200 hp 2.0 TFSI engine. In this new guise, the Altea FR reaches a top speed of 136 mph, dashes from standstill to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds and covers
 
1000 m from a standing start in a time of just 28.2 seconds. Despite such dynamic performance, average fuel consumption is very modest, at just 8.1 litres for every 100 km driven.
 

New "intelligent" headlights

 
SEAT is also unveiling an exciting new item of equipment for its model line-up in Madrid: the Advanced Front Lighting System (AFS). This system blends the superior luminous power and quality that bi-xenon headlights are renowned for, with all of the benefits of AFS intelligent control.
 
The AFS system uses information gleaned from various rotational and speed sensors located in the vehicle in order to adjust headlight beam direction, resulting in optimum illumination in all situations. What's more, these headlights automatically adjust the height of the beam as the vehicle load changes, doing away with the need for fiddly and less accurate manual adjustment.
 
These headlights are also notable for the fact that they are able to turn asymmetrically. In a right-hand bend, for instance, the headlight on the right will turn more sharply than its counterpart on the left; allowing drivers to see the inside of the bend or the side road far more clearly while the left-hand headlight maintains optimum illumination of the area to the front of the vehicle.
 
This innovative item of equipment is available to order as an option for the León, Altea and Toledo. It is even included as standard on Toledo models with the Stylance or Sport-up trim.
 

Multiple connectivity options

 
In response to changing customer needs, the optional equipment lists for the Ibiza, Córdoba, León, Altea and Toledo model ranges have now been extended to include a connection for integrating an iPod into the vehicle as well as a special connection for all other MP3 audio players using a USB port.
 
In addition to this, the León, Altea and Toledo will now include an Aux-in audio connection as standard on all models specified with the radio/CD system with MP3. This connection in the centre console will allow external audio sources to be plugged into the standard headphone socket and the sound played through the vehicle's speakers. The Aux-in connection will be offered as an option for Ibiza and Córdoba models.
 

New petrol engines

 
Last but not least, SEAT will also be exhibiting new additions to its petrol engine range in Madrid: a 70 hp 1.2-litre (replacing the 64 hp 1.2-litre) and an 85 hp 1.4-litre (replacing the 75 hp 1.4-litre, although this engine will continue to be sold with the automatic transmission).
 
The new 1.2-litre and 1.4-litre will both be available for the Ibiza, while the 85 hp 1.4-litre will also feature in the Córdoba, León and Altea ranges.