Performance Review: Seat Leon 2.0 16v TDI FR - [2006]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Seat Leon Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Seat Leon 2.0 16v TDI FR is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2006. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2007 Caparo T1 3.5l V8 and the 2006 Caparo T1 2.4 V8.This particular Seat Leon has a 1968cc Turbo Diesel powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Diesel St4's includes the 2014 BMW 6 Series 640d XDrive

The Leon shares its Diesel St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 BMW 6 Series 640d XDrive and the 2014 BMW 6 Series 640d. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Leon's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1331 kgs (2934 lbs) this makes the Seat Leon 2.0 16v TDI FR in the same weight category as the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12 or the give or take 50kg.

The Seat Leon shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 1968cc 16V St4 engine produces 170 bhp (126 kW) @ 4200 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 258 lb-ft (349.8 Nm) @ 1800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Seat Leon you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2002 Volkswagen-VW Golf R32 (152.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Seat Leon.

The Seat Leon has a Power to weight ratio of 127.7 bhp per ton and 193.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2006 Leon competing with the 2002 Volkswagen-VW Golf R32 (152.7 bhp per ton) or the 1999 Audi A3 S3 1.8T Quattro (152.7 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Seat Leon generating around 193.8 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2013 Bentley Continental V8 S (218.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 1971 Maserati Bora 4.7 V8 (218.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.5 secs, this made the Seat Leon 2.0 16v TDI FR as fast as the 2005 Land-Rover Range Rover 4.4 V8 (8.20 secs) the 2003 BMW X5 3.0d (8.20 secs) the 2000 Honda Civic 2.0i VTEC Type S (8.20 secs) the or the 1998 Citroen XM 3.0 V6 (8.20 secs). This Seat Leon 2.0 16v TDI FR is also faster than the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 2.0 dCi 175 (8.30 secs) the 2005 Mazda MX5 1.8i (8.30 secs) the 2005 Peugeot 407 3.0 V6 Coupe (8.30 secs) the and the 2001 Volkswagen-VW Lupo 1.6 GTi (8.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Leon and the 2004 Renault Clio 2.0 16V Renaultsport Trophy 182

When talking about the performance of the Seat Leon on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.95 secs @ 85.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2004 Renault Clio 2.0 16V Renaultsport Trophy 182 (15.88 secs), the 2011 Infiniti FX 37 3.7 V6 (15.88 secs), and the 2018 BMW X7 M50d 3.0 Turbo (15.88 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2006 version of the Seat Leon 2.0 16v TDI FR has a maximum speed of 133mph.

Top Speed of the 2006 Leon equals the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (144 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2006 Seat Leon 2.0 16v TDI FR then how about the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (144 mph), the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo (144 mph), or the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (144 mph).

Related Links:

2006 Leon Rivals List.

A Brief History of Seat

Car Comparison