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Although the FR's steering is linear and nicely weighted, and body movements are fairly well controlled, you can still feel the springs doing a lot of work in corners and on uneven roads. It's like driving on tip-toes, a feeling you're connected to the road via elastic. It's not unnerving, and I wouldn't use the word bad, it's just, well, not all that much fun. The FR's appearance reinforces the tippy-toe impression; it looks like it's riding too high, despite its 16-inch alloys. Which, by the way, give it a poor ride over bumps and expansion joints, though it's acceptable at other times.
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Can't really fault the equipment list, though. Electric windows and mirrors, remote locking, CD player, air-con, sports seats and alloy wheels are the highlights. Unique to FR models is jazzier dash trim and dials, and a spattering of metallic finishing on air-vents and the like. Exterior changes include those 16-inch wheels, new bumpers, smoky light housings and satin door-mirrors. They all go to make the FR look, in all honesty, a bit sportier than it actually is.
So there's the rub. Thirteen-five is pretty good value for a 148bhp fast hatchback, which we'll stop short of calling hot. It has great in-gear flexibility and overtaking urge, too, a bit like a fast diesel, in fact. Come to think of it, a quick turbodiesel FR might be an even better bet. Handy, then, that there'll be a 128bhp TDI version soon, badged FR and looking the same as the petrol model. Looks like we'll be getting that six-speed gearbox and improved economy after all.
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