Has Seat turned to black magic to change the course of the Leon’s future? It appears that the dark art of the FR Black Edition is certainly winning over prospective buyers. With black alloy wheels, obsidian black exterior fittings replacing chrome for a ‘stealthy dark’ look and an interior as black as your hat, the image speaks to your senses as well as your rational intellect.
Seats continue to set the pace. Not only are they garnering plaudits for superbly reliable and responsive engineering, but they turn heads in the style stakes too. This Leon is a combination of sweet engineering and suave fashion.
Capable and stylish this five door vehicle is invested with all the allure of the catwalk. You could turn up at a film premiere in one, but equally it would hack it very well at a countryside point-to-point. In my view Seat has got it just right.
If you require a vehicle to be roomy, versatile, and totally practical – while maintaining a keen and sensible perspective regarding all-important running costs thanks to a mild hybrid system, this could be it. In normal conditions with the delightful petrol engine aided by the small battery, I averaged over 55mpg. With the boost from the electric motor, 150PS is on tap. Combine this with the renowned DSG gearbox and the Leon FR Black Edition really performs – all the way to about 135mph. (Enough for all but the criminally insane). So if your preference is for poise rather than pose, for practicality rather than pretentiousness then do take a look at this Leon, Forgive the pun but I must lay it on thick, for it had me singing the praises and roaring the glory of its excellence.
Inside the mood is much the same. The cabin architecture gives an impression of massy substance with sporty aesthetics and practicality. It’s uncluttered and beautifully assembled. All is controlled from the large touchscreen where an abundance of safety and comfort systems ensure a driving experience second to none.
Basics are well handled: shapely seats, a driving position tailored electrically, ample legroom front and rear and plenty of luggage space. By any standards it’s a most habitable and attractive cabin where good quality materials engender a strong feeling of well being under the panoramic sunroof.
The sense of integrity and solidity is detectable on the road too. Crisp, willing and punchy: and very smooth, safe and stable. With gearing perfectly matched to torque characteristics, power delivery is seamless and for much of the time the Leon appears to underplay its hand.
As Seat is a sporting marque (With radio tuned to Planet Rock on delivery) – handling displays an acuity that you don’t often find. The ‘press-on’ driver will delight in tackling bends wholesale, enjoying the keen turn-in and secure grip. From a purist standpoint it’s a rewarding car to drive quickly with a more natural sense of flow and timing than most cars in its class.
Flattering your driving and engaging your interest as it does, news of equal significance is delivered in the form of a ride which is pliant enough to soak up the horrors of our roads.
With brio, nimble handling, roominess, practicality, refinement and economy it’s a winning coalition. In my view this is a super sport hatch that does everything you ask of it and in most cases better than well in this pell mell world where more powerful might mean bloated and smarter might mean dimmer. Wish for one in your own Trevi Fountain. (A romanesque slight of hyperbole for a cracker of a car).
This £33,535 spritely dark horse of the road is, perhaps, the best destination for keen motorists who might be thinking about buying a more expensive VW Golf GTI.
