What is it?

SEAT’s fastest diesel hot hatch, the 168bhp Leon FR TDI.

Technical highlights?

It’s got to be the engine, even though the 2.0-litre common-rail unit isn’t exactly new. You have to admit the ability to combine a 0-60mph time of 8.2secs with the promise of 53.3mpg and 139g/km of CO2 looks good on paper. This engine is only available in the FR.

What’s it like to drive?

A typical SEAT. This is both good and bad. Lacking the power to truly test the chassis the overall driving balance is better than that of the petrol Cupra or Cupra R, which are characterised by how much of the power you can use at any one time. This one will take all you can throw at it almost all the time.

The engine’s strong from 2000rpm and the torque flow doesn’t let up until after 4000rpm, the tail-off signalled by extra coarseness and a lessening of the turbo flow. But does it have the capacity to excite? Nope. This is the fundamental problem with the FR TDI. It’s a brisk, competent car, it looks good, feels coupe-ish from behind the wheel and at a standstill sends some pretty strong messages along the right neural pathways.

But diesel power simply isn’t a good starting point for a hot hatch. Renaultsport proved with the last generation Megane dCi that it can be done well given the right dynamics, but the Leon doesn’t have that fallback position. The front end, pressed into the road by the heavy engine, is more weighty and trustworthy here than in the Cupra, the steering less artificial as a result, but each corner is tackled in isolation, there’s no sense of flow. Nor does the FR have the Cupra R’s longer rubber suspension bushes, so manhole covers and potholes, even modest expansion joints, punch straight through the suspension’s defences. This dynamic tenseness contrasts with the engine’s relaxed delivery.

How does it compare?

The fast diesel hatch class is gaining momentum. At the moment main rival is the Golf GTD, but Renault should soon be back with another rapid diesel Megane. The best engine and handling belongs to BMW’s 123d, but at £24,565, it’s much more money.

Anything else I need to know?

You’ll get about 48mpg on a long run, 40mpg if you’re going for it.