Seat Leon 2.0TDi FR+ Supercopa

Sometimes, the sense that a vehicle is nearing the end of its life is triggered by the introduction of some high-specification special editions.

And so it is with the Seat Leon, three years on from the model’s last main revision and seven years since it was launched.

While Copa editions have boosted the equipment count on mainstream Leons and Ibizas for a while, it is now time for FR versions to undergo the revisions.

The FR has been given a racetrack-inspired Supercopa badge and a brace of extra equipment making this a candidate for the best equipped car for the money.

We tried the 2.0 TDI 170 and, for a £750 premium over the FR+, it comes with a dramatic styling kit, unique BBS alloy wheels (although in the same 18-inch dimensions as the standard FR+), the Seat Media System 2.2 which includes satellite-navigation with five-inch colour touchscreen and dynamic route guidance, DAB radio, Bluetooth audio streaming and SD card slot.

There is also Bluetooth phone connection, bi-xenon headlights with adaptive front lighting system and rear parking sensors. The total cost of these items if selected individually would be £3,000, so Supercopa represents a high-value package.

The fact that it stands up so well on the road, despite effectively being a seven-year-old car, is testament to what a fundamentally good product the Leon is. The adoption of common rail diesel technology at its facelift in 2009 means the potent 170bhp engine is refined as well as giving the car a satisfying turn of speed.

Fuel consumption comfortably higher than 50mpg during our week with the car gives the impression of having your cake and eating it, and in many ways it’s true.

Even though the Leon is now one of the oldest cars in a competitive segment, the Supercopa is helping the hot FR derivative to remain one of the most desirable.