Seat’s new Altea FR (formula racing) has made its world debut at the 38th Essen Motor Show in Germany.

The multi sports vehicle (MSV) is the first of the new generation Seat models to join the ‘FR’ stable, which was also twinned with the Ibiza and first generation Leon.

The Altea FR comes with a Euro IV compliant 2.0-litre TDI 168bhp diesel and is partnered by a six-speed manual gearbox. Seat said the key modification on the FR model was the inclusion of the Piezo Pump fuel injection system.

Performance figures are yet to be released.

UK sales are due to start in March 2006. Prices and full specification will be announced closer to launch.