IT WASN’T quite a case of testing to destruction – that’s something I’m not sure anyone would like to see – but this was the closest possible thing.

Never mind sampling a new car for a day, a week or even a month: this was an eight-month, 18,000 mile test of whether the Seat Leon FR TDI could handle real life.

The FR’s precise place in the Leon line-up is especially important. With only the Cupra and Cupra R above it in the range, the FR is unquestionably a hot hatch. It certainly looks the part: our particular example was finished in fashionable white but with the twist of black 18-inch alloy wheels. Despite the Leon not being the newest kid on the block, it regularly turned heads. There’s something about the strong, bold lines and the purposeful stance that made it hard to ignore.

Yet this particular FR was diesel, the 2.0-litre common rail unit with 168bhp to be precise. Not only does that make it one of the few performance diesel cars at any price, it’s also just one element of the FR’s dual personality that made it such a versatile machine over all those miles. That strong diesel unit pumps out 258lb.ft of torque, which contributes to the highly impressive performance – the 0-62mph sprint is despatched in eight seconds flat and it feels quicker than that too. The engine’s sweet spot through the middle of the rev range is where the torque really feels strong and the Leon will surge forward, accompanied by a meaty thrum rather than any unpleasant diesel noise.

But this is just one side of the FR’s personality. The other side can be best summed up simply by the official figures of 50.4mpg and 148g/km. This is still an economical car and although it can’t perform the miracle of being fast and economical at the same time, you have the choice of either to suit your mood. On the regular commute the Leon regularly managed to exceed 50mpg when driven with a thrifty mindset, and on the days when cobwebs needed to be blown away the scenic route was despatched rapidly.

There’s another key aspect lurking in the spec sheet; our particular Leon FR diesel also had the DSG dual-clutch gearbox. Like most people who are taught and raised on a strict diet of manuals, autos are often seen as the choice for the lazy owners and luxury cars. But DSG has changed all that. It’s a simple idea that requires complex execution, but the crux of it is that the DSG has two clutches and therefore can offer shifts so quick that there is almost no perceptible interruption in power. Stick it in Drive and it gives you the same fuss-free approach that you get from a regular automatic and a smooth take-up of power, with the impercetible shifts adding to the relaxed feel. For a more spirited approach S mode has all the answers, as it recognises bigger presses of the accelerator and holds on to gears as a result.

Yes it has been eight months with plenty of fun, but the Leon has done the boring stuff very well too. Despite the mileage, running costs have been pretty low. Average fuel economy for the duration has been well over 40mpg, which accounts for equal bouts of fuel-sipping and pedal to the metal moments. The one and only service that the Leon required checked in at a very reasonable £150, with a top-up bottle of the nice synthetic lubrication used for the oil change, and the one and only fault during the whole time was also diagnosed: the audio system refused to eject a CD, and the dealer ordered and fitted a replacement unit under warranty - cost to me, zero.

Family holidays (with a roofbox), cross-country dashes, motorway trudges and even just for pleasure, the Leon was always up to the task and enthusiastic with it. The fact it was almost entirely faultless, economical, well-equipped and still a pleasure to look at even after eight months tells you all you need to know. The Leon FR is the complete hot hatch for the 21st century.