The SEAT Leon Cupra 20V T has achieved almost cult status among followers.

It is admired for its good looks, good specification level, but most of all for its performance.

Now SEAT has introduced a Leon with a diesel engine that is no less engaging to drive and worthy of the Cupra badge.

The 1.9-litre 150 PS TDi PD engine powering the latest Leon is the most powerful diesel engine available in any SEAT. Its drive power is transmitted to the front wheels through a slick six-speed gearbox and can take it from 0-62 mph in 8.9-seconds and a top speed worthy of any German no-holds-barred autobahn.

Yet, it is extraordinarly light on fuel (at legal speeds that is), providing a combined fuel consumption figure of 52.3mpg, great for those looking for economy motoring with sporty driving.

However, it's not just the exceptional engine and performance that makes the Leon diesel such an attractive buy. Its £16,000 price tag also includes a sporty styling lifting it above all other Leons, with beefier bumpers, a deeper roof spoiler, body-coloured door mouldings, honeycomb mesh grills, chrome exhaust and five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels.

Inside it's no less impressive, with front sports seats, white instrument dials, and leather steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake. The on-board computer gives the time, fuel consumption, trip mileage journey time and outside temperature, while climate control and the radio/cassette/six-CD player (not many manufactures include all three audio needs in one go, nowadays) ensure the cabin remains to your liking. Standard safety equipment includes anti-lock brakes, electronic brake distribution system, traction control, front and front side airbags (with passenger airbag deactivation) and two Isofix child seat mountings in the rear. Walk away from it and the whole package is protected by remote central locking with deadlocks, immobiliser and volumetric alarm.

The on-the-road price includes 12 months' road fund licence, first registration fee, 24 months' unlimited mileage warranty, three years or 60,000 mile warranty, 12 years' anti-perforation warranty and five years SEAT Assistance roadside help including cover in 33 countries in and bordering Europe.

Updated: 09:48 Friday, November 14, 2003