SEAT, the Spanish arm of the giant Volkswagen Audi empire has always concentrated on motoring on the sunny side of the street, a philosophy that certainly applies to its Leon range.

The Leon is the company's Golf sized model, a car which has lent itself to sporty treatment from the outset.

The car is now in its third generation and one model in its fast FR range has mastered the trick of combining frugality with fun.

The five-door FR technology 1.4 EcoTSI 150PS is something of a showcase of what SEAT has achieved in recent times.

For instance, a top speed of 134mph and a 0-62mph sprint of eight seconds is no idle boast but when you couple the fact to this petrol-powered car's combined mpg readout of 57.6mpg then a profile of a rather special vehicle emerges.

Much of the secret of its capabilities lie with the 1.4 four-cylinder turbocharged engine which features cylinder deactivation to help save fuel when cruising but more than enough power to kick in when required.

In addition to the fuel economy the C02 emissions are at a comfortably low 114 g/km.

SEAT has seen astronomical improvements in build quality over the years and in this model it is sky high. It feels like a Golf on the road which is no bad thing. Interestingly the Golf is one of its competitors, albeit in house.

At £22,005, this Leon in FR Technology trim is stacked with goodies such as LED headlights, power-folding door mirrors, passenger lumbar adjustment, parking sensors, and sports seats. It also features bigger 17-inch alloy wheels and modified bumpers.

The car uses the same platform as the Audi A3, Skoda Octavia and Golf itself, and is one of the most spacious cars in its class despite have a shorter wheelbase.

Independent rear suspension andstiffer springs and dampers provide a more engaging drive, making this car punch far above its weight in the enjoyment department.

This latest model also offers a wide range of new technology including the wireless charger, traffic jam assist and traffic sign recognition. The electronic parking brake allows room for the phone charger to be situated on the central console.