Seat gives its hatchback the BTCC treatment

Seat is building on its switch to a diesel Leon for the British Touring Car Championship by launching a track-themed oil-burner version of the car, the FR550.The BTCC-inspired Leon is powered by the same turbocharged 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine found in the standard 2.0 TDI FR, with outputs of 167bhp and 258lb ft of torque. That’s good enough, the manufacturer claims, for a 0-60mph time of 8.2sec.Jason Plato wannabes will also get a suitable interior that includes sporty bucket seats with integrated head restraints, an auxiliary connection for iPod or MP3 player, and 18-inch wheels.In addition to this Seat is also offering the FR550 with a range of unique and distinctive colours like lime green (pictured) and ‘Citrus’. But if those aren’t to your liking then metallic black, silver, red and white are also available.The limited-edition FR550 (only 550 are to be made) commands a £400 premium over the car on which it’s based. The car is available to order now at Seat dealerships, priced at £18,405.

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Overdrive 28 March 2008

Re: Seat launches hot diesel Leon

On the paint job point, seeing as nowadays nearly half the cars on the road are silver and the rest a mixture of grey/dark blue metallic, citrus colours like that actually make a refreshing change.

A few years ago I'd have never thought this, but these days I look forward to seeing cars with unusual colours, even those with garish paint work, than the Maoist mono-coloured monotony most drivers seem to prefer.

Quattro369 27 March 2008

Re: Seat launches hot diesel Leon

What exactly makes this 'track themed' or a 'hot diesel'?

Looks like nothing more than a boggo diesel Leon FR - with a very dodgy paintjob.

TegTypeR 27 March 2008

Re: Seat launches hot diesel Leon

Okay....... so this is nothing more then than a good old fashioned stickers and paint special edition from the old days.

If I want to buy a special edition, especially one that is "race related", then I expect maybe a couple more BHP, or some tweeked suspension - not citrus paint!