Special Offer detail

IBIZA UNCOVERED

MODELS COVERED: (3/5 dr hatch 1.2, 1,4, 1.8, 2.0 petrol, 1.9 diesel [base, Reference, Reference Sport, Stylance, S, SE, SX, Sport, FR, Cupra])

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

The fourth generation SEAT Ibiza saw the Spanish company’s reputation for offering stylish, affordable cars ramp up another notch. With sleek styling and a burgeoning reputation for top notch build quality, the Ibiza rapidly accounted for a lot of the smart money in the supermini sector. Rather unusually for SEAT, it took the company a while to launch a headline grabbing sporting model in the Ibiza line up and this may have hurt initial sales but the Ibiza has won so many awards that recognition is building. A used example makes a whole lot of sense.

Launched in February 2002, the fourth generation Ibiza was a good deal more sophisticated than its predecessor if not quite as sporting. The range was spearheaded by the 130bhp 1.9-litre TDi diesel model that seemed rather a curious decision for a company positioning itself as a sporting brand. Supporting this were a wider range of models powered by a 100bhp version of the same engine. Petrol buyers chose from 12 or 1.4-litre 16-valve engines, followed in due course by a 2.0-litre powerplant and a 1.4-litre TDi turbodiesel. In late 2003 the first properly sporting Ibiza was announced, the 150bhp turbocharged 1.8-litre Ibiza FR (Formula Racing). This model was positioned to sit just beneath the flagship sports Cupra models which turned up in the summer of 2004 around the same time that the 2.0-litre engine was shelved. Cupra models are either 180bhp 1.8-litre Turbo engined or powered by a 160bhp version of the 1.9-litre diesel. In the latter stages of 2005, the 1.4-litre TDI diesel engine was boosted from 75 to 80bhp. The spring of 2006 brought a fairly major facelift. The cars were given a sportier edge with aggressive air-intakes carved into the lower reaches of the front bumper. These evoke the ones on the SEAT Leon World Touring Car of the day. At the back, the facelifted Ibiza displays its name centrally on its tailgate, below the large SEAT badge which doubles as the boot release. The Stylance trim was slotted into the mid-range replacing the SX and S models.

Although to many ‘platform sharing’ may be more directly attributable to the myopia of the integrated transport policy than the vision of the Volkswagen Group, it has resulted in the fourth generation SEAT Ibiza. Whereas the old Ibiza’s range of qualities failed to float the boat of British buyers, this latest model goes some way to rectifying its predecessor’s shortcomings. Check one out in the metal and first impressions are that Walter da Silva, the Stylist responsible for this Ibiza, did a good job. Perhaps SEAT were taking their proposed position as a Spanish Alfa Romeo more seriously than we at first considered when they poached the man responsible for the Alfa 147 and 156. This is certainly a car he can be proud of. If you were asked to pinpoint the differences between this generation and its predecessor it wouldn’t be easy, but da Silva has kept the basics in place – the cyclops grille, the chubby posterior and the high waistline – but has stroked, smoothed and melded the lines into something far sleeker. The details are more knowing and better integrated and he’s succeeded in making the car appear far smaller than it actually is, a visual trick that will appeal to many buyers. Inside you’ll spot a number of VW Group parts, reappearing like old faces at a school reunion. The window switches, the gear knob, the ventilation controls and so on are all sourced from that bottomless well that’s disparagingly termed the VW parts bin, and are none the worse for it. The roofline is lower than we’ve become used to in Polo and Fabia variants, but otherwise the cabin holds few surprises other than a rather novel textured plastic that’s softly abrasive but not particularly great looking. That’s not to say that da Silva hasn’t left his mark however. The dials are recessed individually into the facia in true Alfa style, giving the cabin a sportier feel. Trim levels started with the basic 1.2-litre model which is nonetheless still pretty well equipped. Expect to find air conditioning, tinted glass, a body-coloured rear spoiler, remote central locking, an eight-speaker stereo system, electric windows, a split-folding rear seat, electro-hydraulic power steering, a pollen filter and twin front airbags. Unfortunately, three-door customers will have to budget for Sport or SE variants if they want the really useful ‘Access-Plus’ front passenger seat. Here, as the front seat is tilted, the seat cushion lifts and moves forward as the backrest folds, creating a 31cm gap from the B pillar to the back of the front seat through which rear passengers can pass. When the front seat is pulled back, everything returns to its original position. A shake up of the trim designations coincided with the arrival of the Cupra models in mid 2004. Prices and equipment levels were dropped slightly while the trim line-up became Reference, S, SX, FR and Cupra in that order. The Access-Plus seat became an optional extra on non-sporty 3-door models. Compared to its predecessor, the Ibiza is a dramatic improvement. Not only is it far prettier, it also utilises its cabin space better, the engine range is far more economical and the perceived quality has been ratcheted up a good few notches. None of these factors, however, differentiate it hugely from its rivals. The 1.9 TDI diesel engines are the pick of the range if you’re into smooth cruising, but are too heavy to provide much fun through corners. Not surprisingly, the 130bhp is the better choice, being not only faster but rather curiously, much quieter. The 1.4-litre TDi is a good compromise between agility and power. The lithe 2.0-litre petrol car handles reasonably well but doesn’t have the verve to occupy the attention span of your average press-on driver. The three-door 2.0-litre Sport version at least looks the part. If you really want to press on you’ll need to track down a 150bhp Ibiza FR petrol, the 130bhp FR TDI or go all out for one of the Cupra models. These come in either 160bhp TDI or 180bhp 20-valve turbo form. Good luck.

The old Ibiza never held its value quite as well as a VW Polo but the latest model narrows that gap significantly. Prices for an 02 car start at £3,700 for a 1.2-litre Ibiza S three door with five-door versions commanding an additional £200. Opt instead for the 1.4-litre petrol engine and you’ll pay from £4,300 for an SE version. Most buyers wisely plumped fro the diesel engined cars and these kick off at £4,500 for a 1.9-litre TDi S. The SE starts at £4,900 and the desirable Sport model is difficult to track down for anything much less than £5,900. The 2.0-litre petrol models are rare and not really worth the search, but later 1.4-litre TDi and 1.8T versions are much more worthwhile. Pay from £6,000 for a 1.4-litre TDI on 04 plates and the rapid 1.8T kicks off at £7,200 in FR trim. Cupras cost around £9,000.

Tried and tested engines, the VW-standard quality auditing and an inherent feeling of solidity all bode well for the Ibiza’s reliability. Having been on sale for such a short duration it’s perhaps inevitable that no major faults have emerged, but watch out for neglected ex-hire cars. The Ibiza is a car where the price differences between good and bad examples aren’t too great, so be fussy. Look for a fully stamped up service history and reject anything that looks in any way tatty, grubby or vaguely dog-eared.

(approx based on an Ibiza 2.0 Sport) SEAT spares are reasonably priced, with consumables starting at just £4 for a spark plug. An air filter costs £20, a timing belt £40, an oil filter is £9 and a fuel filter a mere £6. Keeping a nearly new Ibiza on the road shouldn’t prove too expensive.

The Ibiza has been positioned as a more dynamic alternative to the Fabia, if not as opulent as the mini-me Passat that is the Polo. The engine choice runs to three petrol engines and three diesels. The petrol powerplants consist of a three-cylinder 1.2-litre that ekes 64bhp from the ether, a 75bhp 1.4 and the venerable 115bhp 2.0-litre petrol powerplant. Two 1.9-litre turbodiesels are offered, one cranking out 100bhp, the other generating a healthy 130bhp and there’s also a budget 1.4-litre TDi good for 75bhp. There are no rally replica Cupra versions yet, although they must be in the pipeline. The Ibiza FR’s 1.8-litre powerplant is more than just worthwhile. With a turbocharged 150bhp to call upon, it’s capable of notching off the all important sprint to 60mph in a respectable 8.1 seconds and it’ll then run onto a top speed of 135mph. Using the same engine fitted to the entry-level Audi TT, the Ibiza FR can even manage an average of 46mpg which means that younger drivers won’t feel the pinch every time they give the accelerator a quick prod. With a top speed of over 142mph, the 180bhp petrol version of the Cupra doesn’t hang about. Couple that with an ability to polish off the sprint to 60mph in just 7.1 seconds and you’ve got a potent, if not premier league, hatch. What’s more, the 160bhp diesel version is only slightly slower against the watch, making 60 in 7.4 seconds and recording a top speed of over 136mph. Where the most powerful diesel in the hot hatch segment scores highest is in terms of fuel economy. Although the 1.8 20VT model will travel for 39.6 miles on a gallon of fuel using the combined test method, the diesel will eke a massive 53miles from a gallon.

If you want a mildly sporty supermini but don’t want to compromise on quality and don’t want to end up paying through the nose, the Ibiza is the logical choice. Once you’ve sampled it you’ll have a lot of difficulty writing a cheque for anything else.

IN THE HOT SEAT
Now That Genuine Hot Hatchbacks Like SEAT’s Ibiza Cupra Come With Oil-Burning Engines, The Diesel Powered Washing Machine Can Only Be Months Away, Predicts Steve Walker …

Today’s diesel engines seem to be braking down barriers with all the regularity of a 25-stone high hurdler. Once upon a time, smoky, clattering diesel power could just about be stomached by big mileage drivers like cabbies and sales reps because of the associated fuel savings. Now it’s finding its way into luxury saloons, prestige convertibles and hot hatchbacks. Buyers in the know are choosing modern diesels in preference over their petrol alternatives for reasons of performance and power delivery as well as emissions and economy. For proof, look no further than the SEAT Ibiza range where the Cupra TDI tops the pile above the Cupra 20V T.

SEAT are demonstrably not ones to underestimate the diesel engine’s appeal in the modern marketplace. From launch, their Ibiza supermini was available with a solid range of the Volkswagen Group’s accomplished TDI direct injection engines but it was still a surprise when the fire-breathing Cupra models were announced and the diesel was actually priced at a premium over the petrol model. The pricing balance was then redressed with both cars competing for custom on a level playing field but today it’s back with the TDI in the ascendancy, something which speaks volumes for how far diesel technology has come. It’s the Cupra TDI we’re examining here with its 1.9-litre TDI engine tuned to deliver a 158bhp shove in the back. The car might be down on power when compared to the 177bhp Ibiza Cupra 20V Turbo but many will prefer the characteristics of its power delivery. As tends to be the case with diesel engines, the Cupra’s TDI unit yields huge quantities of torque from very low down in the rev range. The maximum output is 330Nm – a mind-boggling amount for a car of this size – and it hits home at a lowly 1,900rpm. The Cupra 20V T can ‘only’ muster 220Nm at 2,000rpm and the difference can instantly be felt once you’ve strapped yourself into the diesel.

"The car might be down on power when compared to the 177bhp Ibiza Cupra 20V T but many will prefer the characteristics of its power delivery."

In real world driving, the TDI is a markedly more flexible performer. There’s brutal acceleration available in higher gears and at lower engine speeds than in the petrol model, which must be revved far harder for optimum performance to be extracted. The Cupra TDI hits its maximum power output at 3,750rpm whereas a Cupra 20V T driver must let the needle rise to around 5,500rpm before it’s really giving its all. The great thing about the TDI is that, despite its sporting pedigree, it can be a very relaxed car to drive. That monstrous torque reservoir keeps gear changes to a minimum because the acceleration’s always there bubbling under the surface and the car picks up strongly almost regardless of speed or ratio. The petrol Cupra has more of that traditional free-revving hot hatch character, it feels sportier and it’s marginally quicker over the ubiquitous 0-60mph sprint (7.3s instead of the TDI’s 7.6) but the diesel has a strong and different appeal. Not least amongst its abilities are CO2 emissions of 146g/km and fuel consumption that will blow any petrol-powered car of vaguely similar performance into the weeds. The Ibiza Cupra TDI (like the ‘warm hatch’ Ibiza FR TDI 130) comes with a six-speed transmission and that extra cog produces more relaxed cursing while aiding fuel economy. Otherwise, the diesel Cupra comes identically equipped to its petrol Cupra counterpart. The stiffened sports suspension sharpens up the ride and standard traction control ensures all that power is put to good use. SEAT have done a grand job of minimising body roll in the Ibiza and as a result, the Cupra is brimming with balance and poise through the bends. The steering isn’t as communicative as you’ll find in some performance hatchbacks but it’s fast enough to ensure the driver always feels well in control and the upgraded brakes also inspire confidence. The Cupra is given a big injection of attitude by its deep bumpers, rear spoiler and 17" alloy wheels. Then there’s the chromed grille frame and the fog lights at the front as well as the ‘Cupra’ branding on the tailgate. Within, there are sports seats plus tactile leather coverings on steering wheel, gearknob and handbrake cover. Safety wise, the Ibiza Cupra TDI is very well specified. ABS, brake assist and ESP stability control all combine with the aforementioned traction control to prevent any unintentional interfaces with the scenery. All three rear passengers get three-point belts, there are front airbags, side airbags and front seatbelt pretensioners all as standard. Other niceties include climate control, a six speaker CD stereo, aluminium pedals and four grab handles which, in this car, are more useful than you might imagine. Overall, the Ibiza is amongst the most pleasingly styled superminis, the model of today carries the effects of a facelift which edged the car closer to its newer SEAT stalemates on aesthetic grounds. The small front grille is framed between the wide headlight apertures and the window line rises toward the back of the car rounding into a shallow rear windscreen for a squat, powerful effect. As with all modern SEATs, the Ibiza displays its name centrally on its tailgate, below the large SEAT badge which doubles as the boot release. Inside, those VW Group fixtures and fittings are very much in evidence and the overall quality is impressive. Legroom in the back is not class-leading but it is adequate and the same goes for the boot. Extra cargo space can be freed-up by folding the split rear bench. Ten or even five years ago, the idea of a performance hatchback with a diesel engine would have been a massive turn off to buyers but people are coming round to the idea and so they should. The Ibiza Cupra TDI is right up with the quickest superminis around, petrol or diesel, and that’s just looking at the performance figures. In real world driving conditions it’s more impressive still. Then there’s the little matter of its miserly fuel consumption and low emissions. Other hot hatches including the petrol Cupra have more of the raw, buzz-box appeal that’s essential to the genre but the TDI’s blend of blistering performance, smooth, accessible power and low running costs provides a more sensible option. It’s just a question of whether sensible is something hot hatch buyers want.

FACTS AT A GLANCE CAR: SEAT Ibiza Cupra TDI PRICES: £15,595 – on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 16 CO2 EMISSIONS: 146g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 7.6s/ Max Speed 136mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 53mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS, TCS, ESP seatbelt pre-tensioners WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 3953/1698/1441mm

SPANISH FLYWEIGHT
Although SEAT Have Assiduously Cultivated A Sporting Reputation, Cars Like The Ibiza 1.4TDi Diesel Make Up Most Of Their Sales. Andy Enright Reports

Positioning yourself as a manufacturer of dynamic sporty vehicles has many advantages. Not only do you get to leather the expense account with various motorsport escapades but you also enjoy the trickledown of that image from your flagship sporty models down to the more prosaic vehicles lurking at more attainable positions in the range. For every Cupra model SEAT sell, they’re banking on selling a number of models like the Ibiza 1.4TDI, a car that’s at the sensible end of the scale.

The Ibiza is a very likeable car. Voted What Car? magazine’s Car Of The Year 2003 and ‘Supermini of The Year’ for the following two years, the 1.4-litre TDI is an integral part in a formidable model line up. Although the same engine can be yours for less in a Skoda Fabia, many will prefer the cheekier styling and youthful joie de vivre of the Ibiza. It looks good value, especially in a marketplace where attitude is conspicuous by its absence. Diesel rivals like the Ford Fiesta, Citroen C3 and Vauxhall Corsa may be very accomplished cars but they all lack a little something in sporty charisma; a quality the Ibiza seems to have oozing from every orifice. With a punchy 80bhp turbodiesel powering the compact Ibiza, you’d expect it to feel agreeably muscular and you won’t be disappointed. The engine has a delightfully elastic feel to it, the turbocharger spooling up to provide if not a gale, then a stiff breeze of midrange torque. In fact, with 144lb/ft of torque on tap at an easily accessible 2,200rpm, the Ibiza 1.4TDi engine feels every bit as muscular as the powerplants in many petrol-powered warm hatchbacks. This strong torque figure means you won’t need to gun the engine every time you want to make decent progress. This translates into a fuel economy figure of 61.4mpg and low emissions of just 124g/km. Available solely in Reference Sport trim, the Ibiza 1.4TDI looks an attractive package and one that will doubtless convert more customers to the charms of Ibiza ownership. Don’t mistake it for the 1.4-litre petrol version, which boasts 75bhp, as the diesel is a far superior package.

"…the Ibiza 1.4TDi engine feels every bit as muscular as the powerplants in many petrol-powered warm hatchbacks"

The Ibiza of today carries the effects of a facelift which edged the car closer to its newer SEAT stalemates on aesthetic grounds. Aggressive air-intakes are now evident, carved into the lower reaches of the front bumper. These evoke the ones on the SEAT Leon World Touring Car and emphasise the link that that the brand is always keen to make between its production models and motorsport ventures. Twin headlamps are also fitted as standard to all Ibizas, as are wheels of at least 15" in diameter even in the entry-level trim, but it’s round the back where most alterations have been made. The bumper is reshaped to incorporate a mock diffuser, another nod to SEAT’s motorsport activities. As with all modern SEATs, the Ibiza displays its name centrally on its tailgate, below the large SEAT badge which doubles as the boot release. SEAT describe the TDI diesel as ‘a true technological jewel’, this a reference to its advanced electronically controlled pump injector system. We wouldn’t go quite that far. For a start, it’s a diesel that’s noisier than normal, a legacy perhaps of the fact that VW Group engineers have still to embrace the common rail technology now featured by virtually everyone else. Still, you can’t deny that their alternative chosen route is effective when it comes to performance. The 1.4-litre engine feels a good deal stronger than its modest capacity would suggest and is well up to the cut and thrust of the British motorway system. Should you want to travel quicker still in your diesel, SEAT can oblige in the shape of the TDI100 and TDI130 models or even the TDI160 Cupra. The TDI100 will reach 118mph and it takes 10.8s to reach 62mph from a standstill. Far more important than that is the impressive 240Nm of torque that’s on offer between 1,800 and 2,400rpm – the increment we all use for most overtaking manoeuvres. In most cases, you don’t even have to drop down a gear to get past that swaying artic. By the same token, around town, cog-swapping is kept to a minimum. As for fuel consumption, well expect to record 44mpg on the urban cycle, 69mpg on extra urban driving and 56.5mpg as a combined figure. Priced at just over £13,000, the TDI130 FR’s top speed is 129mph and rest to 62mph showing of 9.4s looks tempting, but for most the 1.4TDI will be quite enough. The SEAT Ibiza 1.4TDI isn’t a particularly sporty supermini but its styling and cheeky image allow it to mop up sales of those who feel a Skoda Fabia or a Volkswagen Polo is just that little bit too staid. In the Volkswagen’s Group network of niches, sub-niches and micro-niches, the Ibiza 1.4TDi offers a welcome breath of fresh air for anybody looking for a car that’s sensible without being invisible. Expect more awards this way soon.

FACTS AT A GLANCE CAR: SEAT Ibiza 1.4 TDI PRICE: £10,395-£11,025 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 5 CO2 EMISSIONS: 124g/km PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 109mph / 0-60mph 12.9s FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 61.4 mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 3953/1698/1441mm

SPORT FOR ALL
The Ibiza Sport Range May Be Some Way Shy Of The Really Quick Cupra Models But These Derivatives Give You A Little Of The Attitude For A Much Lower Price. Steve Walker Reports…

There was much chuckling when people first heard that SEAT was going to become sporty but who’s laughing now? Under the guidance of parent company Volkswagen, the Spanish brand has been carefully nurtured and gently teased into an enviable position. SEAT has come to stand for the type of vibrancy and youthfulness that’s just perfect for selling fun superminis like the Ibiza Sport.

The Volkswagen Group boardroom must resemble a Bond villain’s lair just now but with one crucial difference. As the sinister figures gathered round the table ease back into the shadows cast by their huge leather swivel chairs and pet their fluffy white cats, their malevolent laughter echoing through the rafters must be tinged with a hint of surprise. Without a dapper British agent brandishing a Walther PPK anywhere in sight, their diabolical scheme for little SEAT to rise up and conquer a big chunk of the European small car market appears to be running according to plan. It seemed an unlikely scenario at first. SEAT, once the purveyors of affordable but otherwise unremarkable Volkswagen cast-offs, would rise up to become the dynamic, trendy arm of the VW Group empire. Some bright spark even coined the phrase, ‘the Iberian Alfa Romeo’, which neatly summed-up the mission statement. It seemed unlikely but so far, events have unfolded pretty much along those lines. We can trace SEAT’s development back through the previous generation Leon Cupra models which added the all-important budget performance pedigree and the Salsa concept car of 2000 which dropped a big hint as to how the modern SEAT models would look. Today the SEAT range is characterised by swoopy lines and vivid colour schemes with well-respected performance models adding cachet from the top of each line. It’s not these road burning derivatives that shift the units, however. It’s models like the Ibiza Sport that feed off the increasingly desirable brand image from below.

"SEAT has been manoeuvred into a position where it should do very nicely from cars like the Ibiza Sport"

The Ibiza Sport models are highly important for SEAT. The manufacturer has gone to great lengths to imprint the association between ‘SEAT’ and ‘sporty’ into the minds of buyers and these are the cars created to reap the benefits. The range-topping Cupra derivatives are first rate hot hatchbacks, they secure column inches and do a fine job of generally attracting attention but at £15,000 plus, they’re beyond the means of most supermini buyers. Then there are the twin issues of insurance and fuel consumption which make running one of these cars quite a financial undertaking. The Ibiza FR derivatives ease the burden to an extent but they still offer serious performance and, consequentially, incur sizable costs. Then we come to the Sport trim level. Offering the look and some of the feel of the really quick Ibizas from higher up the range, these derivatives make the lively SEAT brand values accessible to buyers on a budget. Two engines are available in Sport trim and both come in under £11,000. The 1.4-litre 16v petrol option produces 74bhp and costs from £9,395 while the 99bhp 1.9-litre TDI diesel is positioned at £10,995. These prices are for the 3-door models and the 5-doors cost £600 more. Both powerplants make a good case for themselves on monetary grounds. The petrol model returns a 43mpg average and 158g/km CO2 emissions figure. It’s also rated in insurance group 4 and this will save you a pretty penny over the 180bhp 1.8-litre Cupra which shares group 16 with the likes of Volkswagen’s 3.2-litre V6 Passat. The diesel may cost more but it’s quicker, producing a 10.8s 0-60mph time compared to the 13.2s it will take to do the same in the 1.4. This 1.9-litre engine also delivers an impressive 56mpg average economy and 135g/km emissions while falling into insurance group 6. The Ibiza Sport engines provide a nice compromise between fun and affordability but the key selling point is likely to be the way these models look. SEAT have been careful to maintain the sporty visual themes running through the range from top to bottom, so while the Sport derivatives are obviously a lot less extreme than the Cupra, they still feature body-colouring for the door handles, bumpers, mirrors and rear spoiler. There are front fog lights and 16" alloy wheels too, enhancing one of the most distinctive exteriors in the supermini sector. The latest facelifted Ibiza features aggressive air-intakes carved into the lower reaches of the front bumper, twin headlamps and a rear bumper is reshaped to incorporate a mock diffuser. As with all modern SEATs, the Ibiza displays its name centrally on its tailgate, below the large SEAT badge which doubles as the boot release. It’s a distinctive shape and, therefore, one which is largely immune to the criticism levelled at the Leon/Altea/Toledo triumvirate that all SEATs are starting to look the same. Inside, the Sport comes across as well equipped, with sports front seats, air-conditioning, a six speaker CD stereo, power steering, electric front windows and remote central locking all underlining the value for money theme of this car. The Ibiza’s driving experience has won praise from all quarters since its 2003 launch and was central to it collecting no fewer than three WhatCar? ‘Supermini of the Year’ awards over the proceeding three years. The car remains impressively composed in corners and the sharp steering combines with a precise gearchange to make it easy to spirit around town. The stiffened suspension on the FR and Cupra models injects more sportiness into the experience but the jittery ride is less comfortable for everyday work. These Sport derivatives get the standard suspension settings that most buyers will find preferable for 90% of the time. SEAT has been manoeuvred into a position where it should do very nicely from cars like the Ibiza Sport. The brand image based around dynamism and flair holds significant appeal for young buyers and the Sport is a way to access these qualities without shouldering the prohibitive costs of the true performance derivatives. Let’s not forget, however, that it’s not all smoke and mirrors stuff from the marketing department - SEAT have a highly competitive supermini in the Ibiza. When buying a Sport model for its curvy lines, hot-hatch styling accessories and compelling value proposition, people luck into a small car that’s also well made, fun to drive and practical.

FACTS AT A GLANCE CAR: SEAT Ibiza Sport range PRICES: £9,395 - £11,625 – on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 4-6 CO2 EMISSIONS: 135-156g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 13.2s/ Max Speed 108mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 47mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners, ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 3953/1698/1441mm

SUN, SAND AND SPORT
SEAT’s Award-Winning Supermini Just Gets Sportier And Sportier. Steve Walker Reports…

SEAT are intent on living up to their billing as the sporty one in the VW Group’s three-piece band of volume selling marques. That leaves Volkswagen themselves, acting out the role of posh and Skoda as, err, ginger? Ok, so the Spice Girls analogy doesn’t quite work but the sporty, spicy SEAT is an idea you’d better get used to. The current crop of Ibiza models go further than any before them in emphasising the dynamism and exuberance the marketing men have destined to become SEAT’s trademark.

Prospective SEAT buyers catching sight of the Leon and Altea models down at their local showroom could be forgiven for thinking that the marque have mapped out a path to sportiness founded on the principal of retailing differently-sized versions of the same car. Initial shots of an all-new Ibiza that we may be able to expect sometime in late 2008 would appear to confirm this and today’s Toledo is hardly ploughing a lone furrow on the styling front. Whatever your view on the emerging strong SEAT family resemblance, the look of the products definitely reflects the brand’s energetic direction and the current SEAT Ibiza, while not a clone to the extent of the others, carries many of the SEAT visual traits. The Ibiza of today, priced from £8,195, carries the effects of a facelift which edged the car closer to its newer SEAT stalemates on aesthetic grounds. Aggressive air-intakes are now evident, carved into the lower reaches of the front bumper. These evoke the ones on the SEAT Leon World Touring Car and emphasise the link that the brand is always keen to make between its production models and motorsport ventures. Twin headlamps are also fitted as standard to all Ibizas, as are wheels of at least 15" in diameter, but it’s round the back where most alterations have been made. The more powerful engines in the line-up (those with more than 100PS) have extended exhaust pipes which are clearly visible below the rear valance. The bumper is reshaped to incorporate a mock diffuser, another nod to SEAT’s motorsport activities. As with all modern SEATs, the Ibiza displays its name centrally on its tailgate, below the large SEAT badge which doubles as the boot release.

"…the Ibiza continues as one of the UK’s very top superminis"

High-performance models have an important role to play in the range of any vehicle with sporty pretensions and SEAT have the Cupra derivatives doing the business for the Ibiza. These fire-breathing shopping rockets aren’t there to sell in large numbers but rather, to cast the light of prestige and publicity down on more ordinary Ibizas, raising their desirability levels by association. The Ibiza FR derivatives could be a chief beneficiary of the Cupra’s reflected glory. They sit one rung down the ladder from the range-toppers but offer similar road presence and performance. The cars feature 17" alloys, a blacked-out area behind the front registration plate and a honeycomb grille behind the front air-intakes. The FR brand is an important one for SEAT offering ‘warm’ hatches that are more affordable to buy, run and insure than a full-blown Cupra. The Ibiza Cupra gets the two most powerful engines in the range, a 160bhp 1.9-litre TDI diesel with a standout 243lb/ft torque hit and the 180bhp 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol engine. Both turn-in sub 8-second 0-60mph sprints, which is serious stuff, with the 1.8T 0.3s quicker than the TDI at 7.3s. FR customers can pick the same two engines but in less violent states of tune. The 1.9 TDI has a still punchy 130bhp and the 1.8T is reined back to 150bhp. In spite of its pace and muscular mid-range, the diesel will still average 55.4mpg. This is only 3mpg better than the more powerful Cupra TDI but the £2,000 price differential between the two cars probably renders the 130bhp TDI FR the pick of the range. Further down the roster, we get into the powerplants that most buyers will find themselves mulling over. The 1.9 TDI engine is available here in 100bhp form, or there’s a 1.4-litre TDI that’s capable of averaging over 61mpg. The 1.9TDI is less refined than its smaller diesel counterpart but usefully quicker, hitting 60mph from standstill in 10.8s. The smaller petrol engines are 1.4 and 1.2 litres in size. The larger unit has 75bhp on tap, a 43.5mpg average economy figure and a 13.2s sprint. The 64bhp 1.2 will typically cost you £450 less: it can average 47mpg and do the 0-60mph in 14.9s. All the Ibiza’s powerplants have cropped up time and again, across the VW Group empire and tend to be solid, reliable performers. The same can be said for many of the Ibiza’s interior fixtures and fittings. The window switches, the gear knob, the ventilation controls and so on are all sourced from that bottomless well that’s disparagingly termed the VW parts bin, and are none the worse for it. The roofline is lower than we’ve become used to in Polo and Fabia variants and the rear legroom is less, but otherwise the cabin holds few surprises other than a rather novel textured plastic that’s softly abrasive but not particularly great looking. The Ibiza’s driving experience has won praise from all quarters since its 2003 launch and was central to it collecting no fewer than three WhatCar? ‘Supermini of the Year’ awards over the proceeding three years. The car remains impressively composed in corners and the sharp steering makes it easy to spirit around town. The stiffened suspension on the FR and Cupra models injects more sportiness into the experience but the jittery ride is less comfortable for everyday work. Well built, attractively styled and with that SEAT sporty edge now common amongst models across the range, to a greater or lesser extent, the Ibiza continues as one of the UK’s very top superminis. Some rivals may offer more innovation and style in the interior department or a more advanced engine line-up but the Ibiza just gets on with the job in hand – being a thoroughly efficient and pleasantly sporty small car.

FACTS AT A GLANCE CAR: SEAT Ibiza range PRICES: £8,195 - £15,595 - on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 2-16 CO2 EMISSIONS: 124-190g/km PERFORMANCE: [TDI 130] 0-60mph 9.4s/ Max Speed 129mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [TDI 130] (urban) 42mpg / (extra urban) 67mpg / (combined) 55.4mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 3953/1698/1441mm

GREEN PARTY
Could tweaks to existing technology rather than big investment in next generation drive systems be the short-term route to greener motoring? SEAT’s Ibiza Ecomotive presents a strong case. Steve Walker reports

Aiming for greener motoring, SEAT wheeled their 1.4TDI Ibiza into the workshop and set to work. They cut unnecessary weight, fitted low rolling resistance tyres, gave it longer gear ratios and adjusted the ECU. Now it does 73.4mpg, emits 99g/km of CO2 and is one of the greenest cars you can buy. Nice work SEAT.

The global automotive industry went straight on the defensive when it became clear that the environment was to be the major issue that would determine its future. Governments and public opinion were edging car makers into a sticky green corner and worried looks were flying across boardroom tables at some of the major brands. Then it dawned on the people who build our cars that going green in the short to medium term might not require a huge and costly technological leap in the direction of hybrids or fuel cells. They could do a lot by tweaking what they had and crucially, the most environmentally-friendly cars were now at a distinct commercial advantage. The race to go green was on and SEAT called its entry the Ibiza Ecomotive. SEAT has done a number of things to this car in order to improve its environmental performance and they’ve influenced the way the car drives. The standard Ibiza is up with the smartest-handling superminis with its pointy steering and firm suspension and to an extent these features have been retained. The Ecomotive, however, rides on Dunlop SP10A 165/70 R14 tyres which are made from a low friction compound that reduces rolling resistance and improves economy. They also reduce the amount of grip slightly but it’s only really noticeable during fairly extreme braking and cornering manoeuvres. Overall, the Ibiza’s trademark element of fun remains intact. The gearbox that marshals power from the 1.4-litre TDI diesel engine has lengthened ratios to boost motorway economy while the 79bhp unit itself has had its ECU software remapped and a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) grafted onto its exhaust system.

"74.3mpg, that’s the upshot of all the tinkering SEAT has done to the Ibiza Ecomotive…."

The engine still feels eager with torque of 195Nm being produced at 2,200rpm. It makes the Ibiza a willing companion around town and the longer gearing helps motorway trips become that fraction more relaxed than in the standard car. Go all in and the 0-60mph sprint can be dispatched in 12.8s with the top speed tapped at 110mph. Anyone exploring these limits isn’t really using the Ecomotive in the spirit in which it was designed but it’s revealing to learn that the car’s notable environmental credentials carry little penalty in terms of performance. It’s not just technology that gives the Ibiza Ecomotive its sparkling green credentials. The car has undergone a programme of good old-fashioned weight loss, along with aerodynamic tweaks that improve its efficiency. Under normal circumstances, SEAT’s 1.4TDI Ibiza weighs in at 1,141kg but the Ecomotive derivative’s 1,119kg kerb weight shaves 22kg off that. The car’s drag coefficient is also cut from 0.315 to 0.30. This has been achieved externally through the skinny 14" steel wheels with their aerodynamic hubcaps and a subtle body kit. On the inside, the air-conditioning and electric wing mirrors have been ditched, as has the split folding rear seating which is replaced by a solid bench. The Ibiza is generally a well-built and practical supermini with its Volkswagen Polo origins evident in the interior. Nitpickers may point out the slightly shoddy plastics quality but at the affordable end of the supermini sector, that would be harsh. The cabin feels spacious, although adults in the back may struggle for headroom where the car’s curved roofline swoops in, and there’s plenty of boot bringing up the rear. At £10,500, the Ibiza Ecomotive is as affordable to buy as it is to run and only £100 more than the standard 1.4TDI Ibiza which comes in plusher Reference Sport trim. The Ecomotive also stacks up favourably against Volkswagen’s Polo Bluemotion – a car that takes a similar route to eco-friendliness but is £1,500 more expensive. Standard equipment may be down a little on the standard Ibizas after the weight saving cuts have been made but it still runs to electric windows, remote central locking and a CD stereo, with safety gear including stability control two airbags and ABS. SEAT’s Ibiza Ecomotive followed on from Volkswagen’s Polo Bluemotion in employing a series of comparatively small modifications that together have a big effect on efficiency. BMW has trodden a similar path with its more technologically advanced EfficientDynamics programme and we can expect a lot more of this sort of thing from other major manufacturers. The costs of developing a Hybrid powertrain like those found in Toyota and Honda products is astronomical and why should manufacturers go to the trouble when similar results are attainable quickly and cheaply by giving their small cars the Ecomotive treatment? 74.3mpg, that’s the upshot of all the tinkering SEAT has done to the Ibiza Ecomotive. The 1.4TDI manages 61mpg on the combined cycle in standard form, so the Ecomotive modifications do have quite an effect. CO2 emissions are directly-linked to the quantity of fuel burned so the Ecomotive manages a similarly impressive 99g/km output. The most telling comparison is between the Ecomotive and Toyota’s Prius with its advanced Hybrid Synergy Drive. That car returns 65mpg and emits 106g/km of CO2. SEAT can afford to feel pretty smug that it’s bettered Toyota’s gargantuan investment in Hybrid technology with a standard diesel supermini with some weight shaved off and a new set of tyres. These days, green cars are also cheap cars to run and that’s the main reason why the public is taking to them with quite the fervour that it seems to be. No matter how much we like to massage our consciences with the thought that we’re making sacrifices for the sake of the planet by going green, the fact is that cars like the Ibiza Ecomotive mean going green is no longer much of a sacrifice. In fact, you can benefit considerably by doing it. Overall then, it’s been a job well done. SEAT engineers took the existing 1.4-litre TDI Ibiza and set about making it greener. They ditched superfluous equipment to save weight, improved the aerodynamics with wheel trims and slight body modifications, fitted low rolling resistance tyres, fiddled with the engine management computer and introduced some longer gear ratios. The result is the Ibiza Ecomotive, a 73.4mpg supermini that drives well and looks much the same as it did before the operation. Overall, it’s an impressive piece of lateral thinking from SEAT. People tend to resist change unless the right incentives are in place. Today, the UK public are incentivised to drive greener cars by hefty taxes on fuel and CO2 emissions while car makers are incentivised to build greener cars by the demand these tax-averse punters create in the marketplace. This works in reverse too, If environmentally-friendly cars needed re-charging every 20 miles or pumped the stench of decomposing cabbage from their exhausts, we’d all be put off. As it is, you can buy a SEAT Ibiza Ecomotive and suffer no real disadvantage over someone with a standard Ibiza. It seems the incentives and disincentives are where they need to be to make a car like this work.

FACTS AT A GLANCE CAR: SEAT Ibiza Ecomotive PRICE: £10,500 - on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 4 [est] CO2 EMISSIONS: 99g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 12.8s/ Max Speed 110mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 74.3mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, ESP, seatbelt pre-tensioners WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 3953/1698/1441mm

CRACKERJACK
SEAT’s Ibiza FR IS Available With Two Very Different Engines. Here We Concentrate On The 1.9-Litre Diesel. Andy Enright Reports

If ever you needed an example of how the performance hatchback has evolved, it’s tricky to think of a much better candidate than SEAT’s Ibiza FR TDi. GTi-style hatches boomed in the eighties and then bust in the nineties, insurance costs instantly bursting the bubble. A resurgence of ‘warm hatches’ in the late nineties offered more insurance friendly alternatives and the growing relevance of emissions regulations and the ever-rising cost of fuel saw the GTi evolve again into cars like the SEAT.

In many ways we’ve come full circle. The GTi hatch was originally designed as the sort of go-anywhere, do anything car that offered the driver some jollies without being cripplingly expensive. As they got ever bigger, more powerful and more attractive to thieves, the focus on affordability was lost. Now cars like the Ibiza TDi FR, which retails at £13,350 as a three-door, once again makes the performance hatch an attainable prospect. Group 8 insurance means that younger drivers can partake, and manageable depreciation means that a new car isn’t going to result in big bills over a typical three-year ownership period. Focusing on market and finance may seem a slightly unorthodox way of reviewing a performance hatch but the Ibiza FR TDi is a car that appeals to the head and the heart, so we’ll get the sensible stuff worked out first. Running costs are kept low thanks to an engine that will return an average fuel consumption of 55.4mpg. Even around town, it’ll take a leaden foot to see less than 40mpg which means that with an average 548 miles between fills, the typical owner should theoretically visit a filling station once every two or three weeks. Even then, the tank will cost around £37 to brim full, which is cheap motoring in most people’s books. Business users will appreciate the very low 138g/km carbon dioxide emissions. Pair that with the low up-front price and you have a car that won’t hammer you too hard when it comes to benefit-in-kind taxation yet will still be able to raise a smile when it noses out of the office car park. The Ibiza FR TDi’s powerplant is the same that has been fitted to numerous VW Group products including the Golf and the Audi A4. With 128bhp to call upon, it’ll get the Ibiza to 60mph in 9.2 seconds. Being a diesel, it also possesses some serious clout in the mid-range and the TDi FR pulls like a train from 30-70mph, the 229-lb/ft torque figure being better than a BMW330i or the old Renault Clio V6. You’ll need to keep the engine in the zone between 2,000 and 3,200rpm to get the best from it but the six-speed manual box isn’t a hindrance in this regard. The handling has been sharpened up to cope with the additional poke, the FR featuring stiffer coil springs, a beefier front anti roll bar and revised rear axle mounts.

"The Ibiza FR TDi is a car that appeals to the head and the heart"

Formula Racing (FR) is, in effect, SEAT’s sports diffusion line, sitting below the fiery Cupra models; broadly equivalent to how sporty Ford ST models are a notch down from RS versions. That said, there’s nothing second rate about the Ibiza FR TDi. It’s a long way from the usual warm hatch stereotype, which consists of a car with all of the sporty accoutrements but fitted with a gutless engine that will be shredded away from the lights by a skip lorry. The traditional reason for offering these warm hatch models has been because the sportier versions are often off limits to younger drivers because of their punitive insurance ratings but manufacturers have twigged that in offering the same safety, security and repairability as the top models, insurance ratings can be kept manageable with a worthwhile engine on board. Twin headlamps are fitted as standard to all Ibizas, giving the FR an intense stare. Walk round the back and you’ll spot extended exhaust pipes which are clearly visible below the rear valance. The bumper is reshaped to incorporate a mock diffuser, another nod to SEAT’s motorsport activities. As with all modern SEATs, the Ibiza displays its name centrally on its tailgate, below the large SEAT badge which doubles as the boot release. The FR also features 17" alloys, a blacked-out area behind the front registration plate and a honeycomb grille behind the front air-intakes. The interior benefits from a new three-spoke steering wheel as well as a redesigned gear knob and the seats get FR logos in case you forget which model you’re ensconced within. The Ibiza has long proved that that looking good needn’t cost the earth. Briton Steve Lewis was responsible for most of the car’s lines, but the final refinements were undertaken by Walter de‘Silva, the man responsible for the Alfa 156 amongst others. Suddenly the reason why the rear doors don’t uglify the car significantly becomes apparent. Much of the interior design was undertaken by Simona Falcinela another who jumped ship from Alfa to work for SEAT. The car’s details are more knowing and better integrated and he’s succeeded in making the car appear far smaller than it actually is, a visual trick that will appeal to many buyers. Inside, you’ll spot a number of VW Group parts, reappearing like old faces at a school reunion. The window switches, the gear knob, the ventilation controls and so on are all sourced from that bottomless well that’s disparagingly termed the VW parts bin, and are none the worse for it. Manufacturing a decent GTi-style hatch is all about the management of compromise. Some car makers pull this off better than others and SEAT seem to be better than most. The Ibiza FR TDi is a quick hatch that’s not so powerful that insurance and pricing becomes punitive. It handles better than the humbler Sport version but not quite as sharply as its Cupra sibling. It nails all of these demands extremely well and the provision of standard equipment is also well judged. It’s difficult to imagine a better warm hatch. When the asking price is taken into account, the issue is done and dusted.

FACTS AT A GLANCE CAR: SEAT Ibiza FR TDi PRICES: £13,350- £13,980 – on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 8 CO2 EMISSIONS: 138g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 9.2s/ Max Speed 129mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (Urban) 42mpg (Extra Urban) 67mpg (Combined) 55mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 3953/1698/1441mm

FUNKY PRECEDENT
The SEAT Ibiza 1.4 Aims To Offer Some Big Car Touches At Decidedly Compact Prices. Andy Enright Reports…

For those still unwilling to convert to the charms of squashing heavy oil and indifferent to the prospect of hot-hatch ownership, the 1.4-litre petrol model represents a decent, affordable fall back option in SEAT’s Ibiza range.

Two 1.4-litre engines used to be offered, but SEAT trimmed-back the range leaving just the 75bhp version of the 16-valve four-cylinder powerplant. It’s available in Stylance and Sport trim – with the former offering a choice of manual or automatic gearbox. The engine is by no mean’s sluggish, with 60mph appearing in 13.2 seconds on the way to a top end of 108mph. The 43mpg fuel return is also class competitive. Beyond this 1.4-litre option, you get into real performance territory with the 150bhp FR and then there are the Cupra models. The Ibiza of today carries the effects of a facelift which edged the car closer to its newer SEAT stalemates on aesthetic grounds. Aggressive air-intakes are now evident, carved into the lower reaches of the front bumper. These evoke the ones on the SEAT Leon World Touring Car and emphasise the link that that the brand is always keen to make between its production models and motorsport ventures. Twin headlamps are also fitted as standard to all Ibizas, as are wheels of at least 15" in diameter, but it’s round the back where most alterations have been made. The bumper is reshaped to incorporate a mock diffuser, another nod to SEAT’s motorsport activities. As with all modern SEATs, the Ibiza displays its name centrally on its tailgate, below the large SEAT badge which doubles as the boot release.

"If the current state of Christina Aguilera wasn’t proof enough, the Ibiza 1.4 provides further evidence that looking good needn’t cost the earth."

As you’d expect from SEAT, prices are on the cheap side of reasonable, especially when you bear in mind that this is a proper VW Group product. It’s only when you realise that the Polo 1.4 S retails at nearly £10,000 that the asking price for the SEAT Ibiza 1.4 Stylance of £9,395 is put into perspective. Put the two cars back to back and there would be few who’d pick the Volkswagen as the better looker. The story’s much the same with the 1.4 Sport version of the Ibiza. Insurance group 5 for the Sport probably isn’t going to punch big holes in most buyers’ budgets either. A number of ‘big car’ options are also available for the Ibiza including a satellite navigation upgrade. Inside you’ll spot a number of VW Group parts, reappearing like old faces at a school reunion. The window switches, the gear knob, the ventilation controls and so on are all sourced from that bottomless well that’s disparagingly termed the VW parts bin, and are none the worse for it. The roofline is lower than we’ve become used to in Polo and Fabia variants and the rear legroom is less, but otherwise the cabin holds few surprises other than a rather novel textured plastic that’s softly abrasive but not particularly great looking. Compared to its predecessor, the Ibiza is a dramatic improvement. Not only is it far prettier, it also utilises its cabin space better, the engine range is far more economical and the perceived quality has been ratcheted up a good few notches. None of these factors, however, differentiate it hugely from its rivals. SEAT point to the fact that the Ibiza’s based around the ‘Agile Chassis’ concept developed in house. This combines suspension settings tuned for the keen driver with an intelligent power steering system that not only adjusts the amount of assistance according to driving speed – nothing particularly novel there – but also considers the position of the wheels and how quickly the steering wheel is being turned. Other small cars with power steering often incur ‘pumping loss’ when being driven enthusiastically, that is the inability of the engine-driven power steering pump to keep up with the demands the driver places on the steering. This leads to inconsistent steering feel and the helm weighting up just when you don’t want it to. The Ibiza, by contrast, uses an electric pump that runs independently of the engine to power the steering. The result? Better feedback and keener reactions when you up want to up the ante. The Ibiza’s driving experience has won praise from all quarters since its 2003 launch and was central to it collecting no fewer than three WhatCar? ‘Supermini of the Year’ awards over the proceeding three years. As a natural supermini middleweight this 75bhp car is well up to the task. You should have high expectations for the Ibiza and the 1.4-litre versions certainly won’t disappoint.

FACTS AT A GLANCE CAR: SEAT Ibiza 1.4 PRICES: £9,395-£10,025 – on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 5 CO2 EMISSIONS: 156g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 13.2s/ Max Speed 108mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 47mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 3953/1698/1441mm

DIESELS WITH DRAMA
SEAT’s Promise of Real Latin Spirit In Its Latest Ibiza Supermini Is Rather Surprisingly Served Up By These TDi Models. Jonathan Crouch Reports

Ordinarily, SEAT’s Ibiza has a bit of a problem. It’s called the Skoda Fabia, a VW Group in-house rival Supermini with a similar engine line-up, a bigger body and lower prices. When it comes to diesel power the story is much the same but the SEAT has an injection of Latin flair that might prove all-important.

SEAT’s Ibiza prides itself on a much younger, sportier attitude, not only compared to the Skoda but also in comparison with most other rival Superminis. The car of today carries the effects of a facelift which edged it closer to its newer SEAT stalemates on aesthetic grounds. Aggressive air-intakes are now evident, carved into the lower reaches of the front bumper. These evoke the ones on the SEAT Leon World Touring Car and emphasise the link that the brand is always keen to make between its production models and motorsport ventures. Twin headlamps are also fitted as standard to all Ibizas, as are wheels of at least 15" in diameter, but it’s round the back where most alterations have been made. The more powerful engines in the line-up (those with more than 100PS) have extended exhaust pipes which are clearly visible below the rear valance. The bumper is reshaped to incorporate a mock diffuser, another nod to SEAT’s motorsport activities. As with all modern SEATs, the Ibiza displays its name centrally on its tailgate, below the large SEAT badge which doubles as the boot release. As far as diesel side goes, there’s a choice of 1.9-litre units, one with 100bhp, one with 130bhp and a 160bhp version found in the Cupra. SEAT also offer the 1.4-litre TDI, good for 80bhp. Prices lie in the £10,395 to £15,595 bracket and (unlike the Fabia) there’s a choice of either three or five-door bodystyles. There are five trim levels – Reference Sport, Sport, FR and Cupra. All come well equipped with tinted glass, a body-coloured rear spoiler, a six-speaker CD stereo system, electric windows, a split-folding rear seat, electro-hydraulic power steering, a pollen filter and twin front airbags and ABS.

"The TDi 160 Ibiza is the most powerful diesel supermini you can buy – and feels it…"

Unfortunately, three-door customers will have to pay extra if they want the really useful ‘Access-Plus’ front passenger seat. Here, as the front seat is tilted, the seat cushion lifts and moves forward as the backrest folds, creating a 31cm gap from the B pillar to the back of the front seat through which rear passengers can pass. When the front seat is pulled back, everything returns to its original position. SEAT described the TDi 100bhp diesel as ‘a true technological jewel’, this a reference to its advanced electronically controlled pump injector system. We wouldn’t go quite that far. For a start, it’s a diesel that’s noisier than normal, a legacy perhaps of the fact that VW Group engineers have still to embrace the common rail technology now featured by virtually everyone else. Still, you can’t deny that their alternative chosen route is effective when it comes to performance. Top speed is 118mph and it takes 10.8s to reach 62mph from a standstill. Far more important than that is the impressive 240Nm of torque that’s on offer between 1,800 and 2,400rpm – the increment we all use for most overtaking manoeuvres. In most cases, you don’t even have to drop down a gear to get past that swaying artic. By the same token, around town, cog-swapping is kept to a minimum. As for fuel consumption, well expect to record 44mpg on the urban cycle, 69mpg on extra urban driving and 56.5mpg as a combined figure. All statistics you won’t want to sneeze at: no wonder diesels are proving so popular right at present. Mind you, given that you can almost equal these yet go an awful lot faster at the wheel of the TDI 130 variant, it’s easy to see that this Ibiza’s appeal will be great, even at prices of £13,120 in FR guise. The top speed is 129mph and rest to 62mph takes 9.4s, but here again, the bald statistics tell less than half the story. A higher compression ratio, increased fuel flow and a variable geometry turbocharger all produce great wedges of torque throughout the rev range. Torque is an exceptional 310Nm, developed at a mere 1,900rpm. The 160bhp Cupra model is the most powerful diesel supermini you can buy. And it feels it. 0-60mph takes 7.4s but an average fuel consumption of 55mpg is still possible. The 1.4-litre engine shouldn’t be overlooked, offering low 124g/km emissions and a combined fuel consumption figure of 61.4mpg. The TDi variants are without doubt the ones to go for in this rejuvenated Ibiza line-up, but stretch to the 130bhp version if you can – or petition SEAT to offer it at more affordable trim level prices. A dash of salsa in a sensible package? You might just think so.

FACTS AT A GLANCE CAR: SEAT Ibiza TDi range PRICES: £10,395 - £15,595 - on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 5-10 CO2 EMISSIONS: 124-146g/km PERFORMANCE: [TDI 130] 0-60mph 9.4s/ Max Speed 129mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [TDI 130] (urban) 42mpg / (extra urban) 67mpg / (combined) 55.4mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 3953/1698/1441mm

REFER MADNESS
There’s A Fresh Look For Entry Level Ibizas. Andy Enright Sets His Sights On The Reference Models…

The SEAT Ibiza has long held a place in the hearts of spirited value seekers and the Reference models will appeal to those looking for fun without the financial penalty. As the latest name for the entry-level variants, the Reference models are decidedly inexpensive but SEAT have endowed them with a decent range of kit.

What’s more, there are two engines to choose from. First off the blocks is the 1.2-litre petrol. Weighing in at just £8,195, this offers supermini space at citycar pricing. It’s fitted with a high-tech three-cylinder lightweight alloy engine that generates a modest 64bhp. This equates to a specific capacity of 53bhp per litre, not a whole hill of beans for a modern engine but this does go some way to endowing the little SEAT with an exceptional fuel economy average of some 47.1mpg and a guaranteed place in the lowest carbon dioxide emissions taxation band. If you’re interested in all-out performance, the Ibiza isn’t going to do a great deal for you with 60mph appearing in 14.7 seconds. The top speed’s a respectable 103mph, but this is a modern supermini with the commensurate safety features that all tend to add weight. If you want a quicker 1.2, we’d recommend a Suzuki Bandit motorbike, but aside from that, you’ll not find too much to touch the little SEAT. If you’re interested in minimising your fuel bills, the £10,395 Ibiza Reference Sport 1.4-litre TDi diesel will doubtless be your weapon of choice. With a punchy turbodiesel you’d expect it to feel agreeably muscular and you won’t be disappointed. The engine has a delightfully elastic feel to it, the turbocharger spooling up to provide if not a gale then a stiff breeze of midrange torque. In fact with 144lb/ft of torque on tap at an easily accessible 2,200rpm, the Ibiza 1.4TDi engine feels every bit as muscular as the powerplant in a petrol powered warm hatch.

"The Ibiza provides unequivocal evidence that looking good needn’t cost the earth"

This strong torque figure means you won’t need to gun the engine every time you want to make decent progress. This translates into a fuel economy figure of 61.4mpg and low emissions of just 124g/km. The Reference trim level is good for a CD player, electric front windows, a two way adjustable steering wheel, body coloured bumpers and a rear spoiler. While safety equipment runs to ABS with brake assist, twin front airbags and front seatbelt pretensioners. The Reference Sport gains various sporty styling accessories including 15" alloy wheels. The Ibiza of today carries the effects of a facelift which edged the car closer to its newer SEAT stalemates on aesthetic grounds. Aggressive air-intakes are now evident, carved into the lower reaches of the front bumper. These evoke the ones on the SEAT Leon World Touring Car and emphasise the link that the brand is always keen to make between its production models and motorsport ventures. Twin headlamps are also fitted as standard to all Ibizas, as are wheels of at least 15" in diameter – even on entry-level models like the Reference - but it’s round the back where most alterations have been made. The bumper is reshaped to incorporate a mock diffuser, another nod to SEAT’s motorsport activities. As with all modern SEATs, the Ibiza displays its name centrally on its tailgate, below the large SEAT badge which doubles as the boot release. All the Ibiza’s powerplants have cropped up time and again, across the VW Group empire and tend to be solid, reliable performers. The same can be said for many of the Ibiza’s interior fixtures and fittings. The window switches, the gear knob, the ventilation controls and so on are all sourced from that bottomless well that’s disparagingly termed the VW parts bin, and are none the worse for it. The roofline is lower than we’ve become used to in Polo and Fabia variants and the rear legroom is less, but otherwise the cabin holds few surprises other than a rather novel textured plastic that’s softly abrasive but not particularly great looking. Compared to its predecessor, this generation Ibiza is a dramatic improvement. Not only is it far prettier, it also utilises its cabin space better, the engine range is far more economical and the perceived quality has been ratcheted up a good few notches. None of these factors, however, differentiate it hugely from its rivals. SEAT point to the fact that the Ibiza’s based around the ‘Agile Chassis’ concept developed in house. This combines suspension settings tuned for the keen driver with an intelligent power steering system that not only adjusts the amount of assistance according to driving speed – nothing particularly novel there – but also considers the position of the wheels and how quickly the steering wheel is being turned. Other small cars with power steering often incur ‘pumping loss’ when being driven enthusiastically, that is the inability of the engine-driven power steering pump to keep up with the demands the driver places on the steering. This leads to inconsistent steering feel and the helm weighting up just when you don’t want it to. The Ibiza, by contrast, uses an electric pump that runs independently of the engine to power the steering. The result? Better feedback and keener reactions when you up want to up the ante. Value seekers have long gravitated to the SEAT brand in general and the Ibiza model in particular as its quality-to-cost ratio seems a curiously generous way of getting one over on the Volkswagen Group. The Reference models do nothing to change this opinion and now that diesel power is available for significantly less than £10,000, it would seem an act of financial recklessness not to give the Ibiza Reference serious consideration.

FACTS AT A GLANCE CAR: SEAT Ibiza Reference range PRICES: £8,195 - £11,025 – on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 4-5 CO2 EMISSIONS: 124-144g/km PERFORMANCE: [1.4TDI] Max Speed 109mph / 0-60mph 12.9s FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.4TDI] (combined) 61.4 mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 3953/1698/1441mm

THERE’S LATIN SPIRIT IN EVERY ONE
The Entry-Level SEAT Ibiza Offers Big Car Quality At Surprising Prices. Andy Enright Reports…

For a car aimed at the young and trendy, SEAT couldn’t have lucked into a better name than Ibiza. In 1.2-litre guise, it’s a car that’s still affordable even after you’ve booked your annual two-week bender in San Antonio, yet will never resemble the automotive equivalent of a bucket shop ticket.

When SEAT originally launched the Ibiza in 1984, they were hugely proud of the fact that it was their own undertaking and not merely a reheated Fiat. Okay, so they had a little hand from Porsche (and milked the subsequent PR opportunity) but as a first effort it was extremely good. At that time, Ibiza was just another buckets and spades Mediterranean destination. As the island’s resorts developed into a sort of Mecca for holiday hedonists, so the Ibiza also became big business, attracting more new buyers to the SEAT family than any other product line. The latest version offers fun, a little Latin spirit and – a notion alien to many of the spaced-out Balearic clubbers – a little sophistication. The 1.2-litre version that we examine here is fitted with a high-tech three-cylinder lightweight alloy engine that generates a modest 64bhp. This equates to a specific capacity of 53bhp per litre, not a whole hill of beans for a modern engine but this does go some way to endowing the little SEAT with an exceptional fuel economy average of some 47.1mpg and a guaranteed place in the lowest carbon dioxide emissions taxation band. If you’re interested in all out performance, the Ibiza isn’t going to do a great deal for you with 60mph appearing in 14.7 seconds. The top speed’s a respectable 103mph, but this is a modern supermini with the commensurate safety features that all tend to add weight. If you want a quicker 1.2 we’d recommend a Suzuki Bandit motorbike, but aside from that, you’ll not find too much to touch the little SEAT.

"Compared to its predecessor, the Ibiza is a dramatic improvement."

Available solely in Reference or Reference Sport trim, the Ibiza 1.2 also offers the choice of either three or five doors in a package that starts at £8,195 for the base three-door and tops out at £9,325 for the five-door Reference Sport. Even in the Reference model that props up the Ibiza range, buyers can expect to find big car features like tinted glass, a body-coloured rear spoiler, remote central locking, a six-speaker stereo system, one touch electric windows, a split-folding rear seat, electro-hydraulic power steering, a pollen filter and twin front airbags. The Ibiza of today carries the effects of a facelift which edged the car closer to its newer SEAT stalemates on aesthetic grounds. Aggressive air-intakes are now evident, carved into the lower reaches of the front bumper. These evoke the ones on the SEAT Leon World Touring Car and emphasise the link that that the brand is always keen to make between its production models and motorsport ventures. Twin headlamps are also fitted as standard to all Ibizas, as are wheels of at least 15" in diameter - even on this entry-level model - but it’s round the back where most alterations have been made. The bumper is reshaped to incorporate a mock diffuser, another nod to SEAT’s motorsport activities. As with all modern SEATs, the Ibiza displays its name centrally on its tailgate, below the large SEAT badge which doubles as the boot release. Inside you’ll spot a number of VW Group parts, reappearing like old faces at a school reunion. The window switches, the gear knob, the ventilation controls and so on are all sourced from that bottomless well that’s disparagingly termed the VW parts bin, and are none the worse for it. The roofline is lower than we’ve become used to in Polo and Fabia variants and the rear legroom is less, but otherwise the cabin holds few surprises other than a rather novel textured plastic that’s softly abrasive but not particularly great looking. Compared to the previous generation model, the Ibiza is a dramatic improvement. Not only is it far prettier, especially with the latest facelift, it also utilises its cabin space better and the perceived quality has been ratcheted up a good few notches. None of these factors, however, differentiate it hugely from its rivals. SEAT point to the fact that the Ibiza’s based around the ‘Agile Chassis’ concept developed in house. This combines suspension settings tuned for the keen driver with an intelligent power steering system that not only adjusts the amount of assistance according to driving speed – nothing particularly novel there – but also considers the position of the wheels and how quickly the steering wheel is being turned. Other small cars with power steering often incur ‘pumping loss’ when being driven enthusiastically, that is the inability of the engine-driven power steering pump to keep up with the demands the driver places on the steering. This leads to inconsistent steering feel and the helm weighting up just when you don’t want it to. The Ibiza, by contrast, uses an electric pump that runs independently of the engine to power the steering. The result? Better feedback and keener reactions when you up want to up the ante. The Ibiza’s driving experience has won praise from all quarters since its 2003 launch and was central to it collecting no fewer than three WhatCar? ‘Supermini of the Year’ awards over the proceeding three years. But is it all wasted on a car with just 64bhp to haul it about? Not at all. Although the 1.2-litre models may not be the last word in thumping acceleration they’ve still got enough verve to appeal to the fresh-faced target clientele. Moderation and Ibiza aren’t too words that are commonly associated. Let’s set a precedent.

FACTS AT A GLANCE CAR: SEAT Ibiza 1.2 PRICES: £8,195 - £9,325 – on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 2 CO2 EMISSIONS: 144g/km PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 14.7s/ Max Speed 103mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 36.7 / (extra urban) 55.4 / (combined) 47.1mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 3953/1698/1441mm November 7th 2007

SEAT’S FORMULA FOR SUCCESS
SEAT’s Ibiza FR Series Has Had A Spruce Up In Order To Keep It Looking Sharp. Andy Enright Assesses Its Chances…

Warm hatches haven’t always enjoyed a stellar reputation, often promising a lot but delivering precious little. There are a few notable exceptions, however, and one of our favourites is SEAT’s Ibiza FR. Any Ibiza is good fun on its day, but when you turn up the wick a bit, you end up with a very enjoyable car indeed. The Ibiza FR has benefited from a few tweaks to keep it looking sharp and it remains a model that mixes modern features with a pleasantly old school feel to great effect.

It takes the old and the new car side by side to really appreciate what SEAT have done with this latest version. This FR looks more like the range-topping Cupra sports variant that’s positioned one step above in the Ibiza hierarchy, the bigger air intakes in the front spoiler now giving this previously friendly-looking vehicle a rather snarling face. SEAT claim this front end treatment evokes that of the Leon World Touring Car and the men in suits are keen to emphasise the link between the cars on the track and the cars the likes of you and I can walk into a dealership and buy. Perhaps this may be stretching things a little bit, but if it means better looking sports hatches for the masses, that’s fine by me. Twin headlamps are also fitted as standard to all Ibizas, giving the FR an intense stare. Walk round the back and you’ll spot extended exhaust pipes which are clearly visible below the rear valance. The bumper is reshaped to incorporate a mock diffuser, another nod to SEAT’s motorsport activities. As with all modern SEATs, the Ibiza displays its name centrally on its tailgate, below the large SEAT badge which doubles as the boot release. The FR also features 17" alloys, a blacked-out area behind the front registration plate and a honeycomb grille behind the front air-intakes. The interior benefits from a new three-spoke steering wheel as well as a redesigned gear knob and the seats get FR logos in case you forget which model you’re ensconced within.

"Better looking but still keenly priced, the FR may be the pick of the current Ibiza line up"

Formula Racing (FR) is, in effect, SEAT’s sports diffusion line, sitting below the fiery Cupra models, broadly equivalent to how sporty Ford ST models are a notch down from RS versions. That said, there’s nothing second rate about the Ibiza FR. With 150bhp petrol or 130bhp diesel engines to punt it up the road, the car is a long way from the usual warm hatch stereotype of a car with all the sporty accoutrements but fitted with a gutless engine that will be shredded away from the lights by a skip lorry. The traditional reason for offering these warm hatch models has been because the sportier versions are often off limits to younger drivers because of their punitive insurance ratings. More recently, however, manufacturers have twigged that by offering the same safety, security and repairability as the top models, insurance ratings can be kept manageable even with a worthwhile engine on board. The Ibiza FR’s petrol powerplant is more than just worthwhile. With the turbocharged 150bhp engine to call upon, it’s capable of notching off the all-important sprint to 60mph in a respectable 8.1 seconds and it’ll then run onto a top speed of 135mph. Using the same engine fitted to the entry-level Audi TT, the Ibiza FR can even manage an average of 46mpg which means that younger drivers won’t feel the pinch every time they give the accelerator a quick prod. The diesel fares even better with super-thrifty 55mpg average fuel consumption but the 0-60mph time increases by a second. The diesel and petrol cars cost almost the same amount so buyers are left with an intriguing dilemma of which to choose. The handling on both cars has been sharpened-up to cope with the additional poke, the FR featuring stiff coil springs, a beefy front anti-roll bar and aggressive rear axle mounts. This year’s car also gets lower profile 17-inch Pirelli P Zero tyres which, whilst offering improved lateral grip, do serve to firm the ride up quite considerably. The Ibiza has long proved that that looking good needn’t cost the earth. Briton Steve Lewis was responsible for most of the car’s lines, but the final refinements were undertaken by Walter de‘Silva, the man responsible for the Alfa 156 amongst others. Suddenly the reason why the rear doors don’t uglify the car significantly becomes apparent. Much of the interior design was undertaken by Simona Falcinela another who jumped ship from Alfa to work for SEAT. The car’s details are more knowing and better integrated and he’s succeeded in making the car appear far smaller than it actually is, a visual trick that will appeal to many buyers. Inside, you’ll spot a number of VW Group parts, reappearing like old faces at a school reunion. The window switches, the gear knob, the ventilation controls and so on are all sourced from that bottomless well that’s disparagingly termed the VW parts bin, and are none the worse for it. This Ibiza is mechanically similar to its predecessor. SEAT point to the fact that the Ibiza’s based around the ‘Agile Chassis’ concept developed in house. This combines suspension settings tuned for the keen driver with an intelligent power steering system that not only adjusts the amount of assistance according to driving speed – nothing particularly novel there – but also considers the position of the wheels and how quickly the steering wheel is being turned. Other small cars with power steering often incur ‘pumping loss’ when being driven enthusiastically, that is the inability of the engine-driven power steering pump to keep up with the demands the driver places on the steering. This leads to inconsistent steering feel and the helm weighting up just when you don’t want it to. The Ibiza, by contrast, uses an electric pump that runs independently of the engine to power the steering. The result? Better feedback and keener reactions when you up want to up the ante. If you are in the market for a warm hatch, the Ibiza FR is probably the best of the current crop. It’s no great secret that this is the current shape Ibiza’s swansong, an all-new model with the latest SEAT family look waiting in the wings. If you don’t get along with the styling of contemporary SEATs, this Ibiza may well be your last chance to buy into an ‘old-school’ model. It’s well worth your while.

FACTS AT A GLANCE CAR: SEAT Ibiza FR PRICES: £12,195-£13,980 – on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 8-12 CO2 EMISSIONS: 138-190g/km PERFORMANCE: [1.8 20V T] 0-60mph 8.1s/ Max Speed 135mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.9 TDI] (Urban) 42mpg (Extra Urban) 67mpg (Combined) 55mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 3953/1698/1441mm

UP FOR THE CUP
SEAT’s Cupra Brand Will Be Familiar To Most Hot Hatch Fans. Their Latest Ibiza Cupra Models More Than Live Up To The Billing. Andy Enright Reports

When you pause to think about it for a moment, SEATs should be awful. A combination of Spanish and German cultures just sounds like the most dreadful mixture but against all odds, it works. SEAT routinely seems to produce many of the most buyable cars from the entire Volkswagen Group and the latest SEAT Ibiza Cupra models are no exception.

Think about it. What Spanish/German alliance has ever worked before? The two national cultures seem diametrically opposed to each other, yet the SEAT brand goes from strength to strength. Much of this is due to the fact that SEAT have been positioned as a fashionably sporting marque within the Volkswagen Group empire, part of the ‘Audi Brand Group’. Like Audi and Lamborghini, this entitles SEAT to go racing – or in this case rallying – and if you’re going to do that, you need to be able to offer some seriously sporty roadgoing product. Time then, for the seriously sporty Ibizas. When this shape Ibiza was first launched, the hottest version available was a very modest diesel. We knew there would be quicker versions in due course but SEAT made us wait. And wait. First came the promising Ibiza FR model, a 150bhp warm hatch that was but a precursor of what was to come. Now there are two Ibiza Cupra three-door hatches that have upped the ante nicely. A diesel again plays a significant part, but instead of the 130 braked horses you might expect, this one has a whopping 160bhp under the bonnet. More to the point, it’s well laden with torque. The Americans, who otherwise seem to know very little about building cars, have a saying that customers buy power but drive torque. If this is the case, they’ll be very happy indeed seated behind the wheel of the Ibiza Cupra 1.9 TDI as it boasts more torque than the Porsche Boxster S or a Subaru Impreza WRX. The other model in the line up features an engine that’s a little more familiar. The petrol powered turbocharged 1.8-litre powerplant has long been a Volkswagen Group staple and in 180bhp guise has seen service in the Audi A3, the Audi TT, the Skoda Octavia vRS and the SEAT Leon Cupra. Now it’s the turn of the Ibiza to get a share of the action and in such a small bodyshell it really flies.

"People buy power but drive torque – in which case, Ibiza Cupra customers should be very happy indeed"

With a top speed of over 142mph, the 180bhp Cupra doesn’t hang about. Couple that with an ability to polish off the sprint to 60mph in just 7.1 seconds and you’ve got a potent, if not premier league, hatch. What’s more, the diesel version is only slightly slower against the watch, making 60 in 7.4 seconds and recording a top speed of over 136mph. Where the most powerful diesel in the hot hatch segment scores highest is in terms of fuel economy. Although the 1.8 20VT model will travel for 39.6 miles on a gallon of fuel using the combined test method, the diesel will eke a massive 53miles from a gallon. Let’s pause to think about this car for a moment. Only a few years ago, this would have been seen as Lotus Esprit performance with Mini fuel consumption. Now it hardly raises an eyebrow. The Ibiza Cupra can be identified by its specially designed front bumper that incorporates a spoiler in one integrated moulding. Big air intakes direct cooling air into the intercooler and the front end also features a contrasting grille with intake slats sitting atop a honeycomb design underneath. 17-inch alloy wheels are fitted as standard with gumball 40 series tyres while at the rear end there’s another smoothly integrated spoiler and a monster chromed tailpipe. The small roof spoiler that trails off the roof and the smoky titanium coloured tail light housings are deft touches, as is the fact that there’s no external giveaway as to which engine your Ibiza Cupra is packing. Pricewise, you’ll need £14,650 for the petrol engined 1.8 20VT and £15,595 for the TDi, which presents buyers with an interesting quandary. The car’s details are more knowing and better integrated and the stylists have succeeded in making the car appear far smaller than it actually is, a visual trick that will appeal to many buyers. Inside, you’ll spot a number of VW Group parts, reappearing like old faces at a school reunion. The window switches, the gear knob, the ventilation controls and so on are all sourced from that bottomless well that’s disparagingly termed the VW parts bin, and are none the worse for it. The interior features a red, white and black colour scheme, with the trim all black, the instruments picked out in white with red highlighting on the air vents, indicators, and stitching on the wheel, seats, headrests, gear lever and hand brake. The seats themselves feature the Cupra logo writ large into the sculpted backrest and the Cupra logo also features on the sports steering wheel. SEAT couldn’t resist the inclusion of the ubiquitous metal capped pedals. Drilled pedals, white dials, mesh front grille – the Ibiza Cupra may seem a cliché but it’s a very fun one. The Ibiza of today carries the effects of a facelift which edged the car closer to its newer SEAT stalemates on aesthetic grounds. As with all modern SEATs, the Ibiza displays its name centrally on its tailgate, below the large SEAT badge which doubles as the boot release. SEAT point to the fact that the Ibiza’s based around the ‘Agile Chassis’ concept developed in house. This combines suspension settings tuned for the keen driver with an intelligent power steering system that not only adjusts the amount of assistance according to driving speed – nothing particularly novel there – but also considers the position of the wheels and how quickly the steering wheel is being turned. The SEAT Ibiza Cupra is exactly what you’d have specified from the outset with the additional bonus of that amazing diesel engine. The 1.8-litre petrol car shouldn’t be overlooked but if you really want an affordable car that possesses a truly rounded repertoire of skills, the Cupra 1.9TDI would be a very informed pick.

FACTS AT A GLANCE CAR: SEAT Ibiza Cupra range PRICES: £14,650-£15,595 – on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 16 CO2 EMISSIONS: 146-190g/km PERFORMANCE: [1.8 20VT] 0-60mph 7.1s/ Max Speed 142mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.9 TDI](combined) 53mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS, TCS, ESP seatbelt pre-tensioners WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 3953/1698/1441mm