After all the outgoing Leon FR hot hatchback outsold all its stablemates, accounting for a whopping 49 per cent of all that model’s sales. Not bad for a version which was almost top of the range, and priced accordingly.

The new Leon FR is joined by Formula Racing versions of the smaller Ibiza and Altea, too.

SEAT is proud of its growing reputation as a sporting marque, and it isn’t only a question of performance or competence.

The Leon, for instance, shares two engines and many other dynamic features with the latest Golf GTi but it will cost you about £3,000 less.

All three models feature sporty bodykits, interior features such as sports seats and steering wheels and – like their family car stablemates – a snappy new body design with more interior space than their predecessors. For added appeal, each FR comes with a choice of petrol or diesel power.

The FR models aren’t the sportiest of the SEAT range, of course: that honour goes to the more focused Cupra models which are either here already or on the way.

The Cupras are quicker, a real enthusiasts’ car, naturally more expensive and they also tend to have more sporting suspension – by which I mean stiffer – which makes them more dynamic on the track. Yet for many buyers, using ordinary roads, the FR’s compromise between ultimate handling and a more supple ride may well have more appeal.

I would certainly be surprised if anyone feels inclined to criticise the Leon’s handling and roadholding abilities, having been able test this top of the FR range model on Prodrive’s Warwickshire test track.

It’s actually a better facility for exploring a road car’s limits than a race circuit as, like most roads, the surface of this old airfield is far from smooth. High speed cornering certainly puts the suspension to the test.

The Leon FR comes with either a turbocharged 2.0 FSi petrol engine with 200bhp, or the latest Audi VW Group 2.0 turbodiesel, one of the most powerful in its class with 170bhp on tap. They cost £16,995 and £17,495 respectively.

The petrol, of course, has an advantage in free-revving, outright power giving slightly quicker 0 to 62mph acceleration; the diesel’s forte is low down grunt, lower emissions and an extra 12 miles for every gallon of fuel.

The actual figures are 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds and 35.8mpg for the Leon, and 8.2 seconds and 47.1mpg for the diesel.

The traffic lights grand prix apart, real world performance – the 50 to 70mph overtaking sprint, for example – is much closer.

Whatever’s under the bonnet, both Leons are superbly balanced with an excellent chassis. The car is unphased by rapid changes of direction, mid-corner bumps and slippery surfaces especially since you have the safety net of the latest generation of ESP, or electronic stability program which is quicker than any driver I’ve known when it comes to correcting skids.

Like anti-lock brakes, it’s one of those things it’s good to have but hope you’ll never use. It could well save you an insurance claim or worse if you have to take emergency avoiding action on a wintry country lane.

If I’ve been concentrating on the Leon, it’s because of the new trio it’s the one which most took my fancy: from the moment I sat in the big, low and beautifully shaped sports seats it just felt right.

The black dash, with its well-placed instruments, the six-speed gearbox with its chromed lever and the lever and chrome three-spoke steering wheel are like a tasty appetiser from the moment you let out the clutch.

The Ibiza is like a younger sibling, It’s smaller, particularly in terms of rear seats, and comes with smaller engines – a 1.8 turbo with 150bhp and a 1.9 diesel with 130bhp. Prices are more affordable, too – £11,975 and £13,120 respectively.

They are still quick cars (8.3 and 9.3 seconds respectively) and are among the most dynamic of the current crop of small hatchbacks, while boasting lower running costs in terms of fuel consumption and insurance groups than the Leon.

The Altea, while based on the Ibiza platform, has the body and more flexible interior of a mini-MPV. It has the same engine options as the Leon, though, at £14,525 for the petrol and £14,976 for the turbodiesel.

All FR models are distinguished not only by their badges but by their styling features, such as sporty bumpers front and rear, chromed tailpipes and unique alloy wheels. Inside they all have sports steering wheels, a redesigned dash, chrome trim and sports front seats. In other words, they look the part, too.

SEAT obviously has an eye on the success of previous FR models, and in terms of looks, engine options, performance and pricing it now has probably a wider range of good, affordable hot hatchbacks than any other manufacturer.

They’re likely to reign in Spain, and have a good chance of leading their market niche’s here, too.

By John Griffiths