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4th generation Ibiza was released last spring. The car collected good reviews regarding quality and driving capabilities. VW is a respected producer – Seat = VW, therefore buying Ibiza was good value for money… but somehow time passed and there weren’t many of them on the streets. And I know the reason…

Seat is a VW brand that is meant to be sporty. Along it’s more boring co-producers (VW and Skoda) it always looks more aggressive and modern. And it gives good results. When talking about small Ibiza: 30% of it’s buyers chooses sport versions! So it seems strange that they waited so long to release these two to the public… but they finally arrived: FR and Cupra versions will be available to buy in few months.

The styling
New Ibiza was designed by the same gentleman that worked on Laborghini Gallardo. I wonder why didn’t they talk about this fact more when they released the car It looks pretty good and badging it with the designers name would give it more prestige. I like the rear especially. It looks even conservative as for Seat. The FR version will have a soft styling kit, bigger wheels and double exhaust pipes. Cupra will be more extreme (as usual): 17 inch alloy wheels, big bumpers with air intakes and central exhaust pipe and probably some unique coloring.

Interior will also get a little sporty feeling (compared to the regular Ibiza): bucket seats, carbon fibre details and smaller driving wheel. So all the regular stuff You get in a hot hatch.

But it doesn’t stop here. If You want to show off, be more unique: get a Bocanegra package. With it You will get a styled “black” front: bumper and head lights. It’s a tribute to the Seat 1200 Sport from 1975. Seat claims that they will only produce 1000 of these every year. It seems like it’s a common fashion to release more and more limited editions of the cars. Can’t say I don’t like it…

The power

Both cars will get a 1,4 TSI engine. Engine that was announced the Engine of the year 2009. It’s only 1,4 litre, but thanks to direct injection and double turbocharging, it’s pretty strong.

150 BHP Seat Ibiza FR version accelerates from 0 – 62 mph in 7,7 second. Top speed is 131 mph. And it will do 37 mpg according to producers data (so in real life You should expect about 25 mpg ). Not bad…

Cupra version delivers 180 BHP and 184 lb/ft (250 Nm) of torque. It reaches 62 mph in 7,2 seconds and top speed is 140 mph. Average fuel consumption is 34 mpg (again: producer data). But the low profile tires, hard suspension and roaring exhaust probably will make Your foot heavier, so expect about 23 mpg. Still not bad…

Both Ibizas will be available only with DSG gear box. 7-gear automatic transmission is great, works in VW Golf GTI and Audi, so it’s good news for their smaller friend. Of course You can make it manual any time You want using paddles behind the driving wheel.

First Sporty Ibizas are leaving the factories right now and will be sold in France before other countries. FR version will cost about about 20k Euro. Tougher Cupra will be 3 k Euro more expensive. Bocanegra package will cost You another 800 Euro more. Judging by the looks: not worth it, but if You want to be unique…

Summary

Cupra badge has became an icon around Europe, thanks to Seat Leon Mk1 Cupra version. Mk2 isn’t that popular any more (because Seat forgot about suspension modifications for its engine and it’s not so good looking anymore), but still 240 BHP looks good in a hot hatch.

When talking about “junior” hot hatches – new Ibiza Cupra should take strong place in it’s class motoring scene. Although it seems like Renault Clio RS is still the strongest and most extreme in the stake, but Ibiza… is turbocharged. And turbo gives tuners the “possibilities”.

I can only hope that they will fit 2.0 TSI in there. This would be a junior hot hatch!