► Seat Ibiza Cupra gets facelift
► Power boosted to 189bhp
► Interior upgrades too
Meet the new Seat Ibiza Cupra, a more aggressive, more potent and – says Seat – more stylish pocket rocket than its predecessor. With a new 1.8-litre TSI engine, which also features in the Polo GTI, power is up 11bhp on its predecessor’s 1.4-litre turbo. The Ibiza Cupra is set to make its public debut at the 2015 Frankfurt motor show.
Engine upgrades aren’t the only changes on the new Ibiza Cupra; specific attention has been spent on its interior, the company claims. Taking features from its big brother, the Leon, the Ibiza has adopted a new steering wheel, infotainment system with Android and Apple connectivity, and instrument panel.
Seat Ibiza Cupra: 1.8-litre TSI performance
Due to arrive in early 2016, the Seat Ibiza Cupra sits firmly in mini hot-hatch territory with its new 1.8 TSI engine. Using both direct and indirect injection, the turbocharged four-pot produces 189bhp. What is more suprising, however, is the Ibiza’s punchy torque output of 236ft lb, up 52lb ft on before. This puts it firmly at the top of the class muscle honours.
The VAG-owned manufacturer has also added a new XDS electronic differential to help combat errant wheelspin/scrabble/potential understeer from putting all that thrust through the front axle. Let’s hope it’s effective, as Seat claims an impressive 0-62mph time of 6.7sec and a top speed 146mph. Seat’s Cupra Drive comes as standard, letting drivers pick driving modes for a sportier or more comfort-oriented damper and steering set-up.
The Seat Ibiza Cupra is entering the ring with all the right boxes ticked, but could it really knock out our favoured Fiesta ST? We’ll have the twin test lined up soon to find out…