Secret hot hatches of 2006 - Seat Leon FR/Cupra

On sale: Summer/late 2006
Price: £19,000 to £23,000

Seat will treat buyers to two sporty versions of its new Leon small family car in 2006.

First is the FR, which will be available as a fast but frugal 170bhp diesel or a 197bhp petrol version using the same engine as the Volkswagen Golf GTI.

Then, at the end of the year, a range-topping Cupra will go on sale. Engine output figures haven't yet been finalised, but it's likely to produce at least 240bhp to keep pace with the likes of the Vauxhall Astra VXR.

While sister-company Volkswagen uses a 3.2-litre V6 and four-wheel drive on its R32, Seat will stick to a four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive on the Leon Cupra.


See the February 2006 issue of What Car? magazine for a free 100 Secret Cars of 2006 and Beyond supplement.