Turbocharged or supercharged? A tuning dilemma that engineers have faced for generations. Everyone has their own preference of course, but now there is a third option for those who can't decide - both.
Volkswagen group's 'Twincharger' engine, found in both the VW Polo GTI and SEAT's Ibiza Cupra, employs both a supercharger and a turbo - an approach previously reserved for only the most exotic aftermarket tuned cars. Okay the engine only has as 1.4-litre capacity, but with two blowers working in tandem there's virtually zero lag, plus high torque from low engine speeds and increased power at the top end. The result? 180hp at 6,200rpm, 184lb ft of torque from a mere 2,000rpm and, courtesy of some clever engine mapping, an impressive 47.9mpg combined fuel economy.
Shoehorned into either supermini with its seven-speed DSG, the VW Group believes it is the ideal recipe for a contemporary hot hatch. Comfortable yet committed, both come with consummate specs plus a reputation for durability the envy of most rivals. But which is the family favourite?
SEAT's Ibiza Cupra was the first to arrive in the UK, launched in October 2009 alongside a 150bhp FR version and the limited edition Bocanegra Ibiza (essentially a cosmetically-tweaked Cupra). Very well equipped, all Cupras came with a sports suspension (5mm lower than the FR) plus the seven-speed DSG gearbox with paddle shifters, climate control, cruise control, ESP with XDS electronic differential lock, split-folding rear seats, 17-inch alloys, Bi-Xenon headlights, LED running lights, rain-sensing wipers and electric folding mirrors. The original asking price for SEAT's three-door Cupra was just £15,995, whilst the £700-dearer Bocanegra version boasted black nose treatment, a red-stitched bespoke interior and 'B' logos.
Facelifted in 2012 - and claiming some Lambo design cues - the otherwise understated three-door Ibiza is now known as the SC model, with the Cupra version weighing in at£18,765. However you do get adaptive Bi-Xenon headlights, LED running lights, tinted rear windows, drilled aluminium pedals, 17-inch alloys, a large single trapezoidal exhaust backbox and special Cupra sports seats. A popular £340 Winter Pack includes heated front seats, headlamp washers and a height-adjustable passenger seat, whilst metallic paint is a £450 option. Since the Ibiza Cupra went on sale in 2009 SEAT has sold a total of 1,467 examples.
In contrast the jazzier three- and five-door Mk5 VW Polo GTI looks every bit a mini Golf GTI. Launched in July 2010 as a three-door model, a five-door version became available in 2011.
With identical performance figures (0-62mph in 6.9 seconds) it too possesses the XDS it too possesses the XDS diff-aping system for improved handling and traction; the GTI also sits 15mm lower than a standard Polo. The Golf GTI-like styling extends to the deep front spoiler with honeycomb grille, red brake calipers, flat-bottomed steering wheel, tartan sports seats and gloss-black centre console trim; whilst the standard spec is nearly as impressive as the SEAT's with a small rear diffuser, a pair of chrome-tipped exhausts, foglights, tinted rear glass, Bluetooth, air conditioning, electric heated mirrors, cruise control, rear parking sensors optional LED running lights and of plenty of GTI badging. The standard 17-inch Monza Shadow alloys are the same as those fitted to the Golf GTI. Asking price for the three-door was £19,730, with the five-door model just £620 more. Since the first-generation Polo GTI was launched in 2002 over 5,000 Polo GTI models have been sold in the UK, including 1,360 Mk5 versions.
At this point pedants will exclaim that there is of course a third sibling in this family, the blander-styled Skoda Fabia vRS. Yes - it's better value new, but back-to-back it isn't quite as rewarding to drive as the VW or the SEAT. And the looks are, well, a bit frumpy.
Between them the Polo GTI and Ibiza Cupra have given their supermini rivals - the Abarth 500, Clio Renaultsport, Fabia vRS and Suzuki Swift Sport - some pretty serious competition. Possessing a more upmarket feel, impressive build quality and gutsy performance, sales of both have been strong - even though they won't be the first hot hatch choice for many a PHer. A degree of kindred kudos imbued from their bigger brothers - the Leon Cupra and Golf GTI - has certainly rubbed off and, love it or loathe it, that DSG gearbox is perceived as a strong selling point by many would-be buyers.
Fundamentally of course they share the same engine, gearbox and chassis, as SEAT was very happy to elaborate: "The Ibiza and Polo GTI are linked - aside from the drivetrain they share the same PQ25 chassis. However, the Ibiza is designed, developed and manufactured at SEAT's Martorell facility just outside Barcelona. So, while it's fair to talk about parts sharing between the two cars, the differences are almost innumerable."
VW however were more reticent: "We wouldn't comment on our sister brands' products or the relationship between them, because while we know our own products we are less familiar with those of our sister brands." Perhaps SEAT is slightly happier about the relationship than Volkswagen? Its Polo GTI is manufactured and assembled completely independently at Pamplona, in Spain.
A hint of real rivalry between the sister companies then, and it's the same story from a styling perspective too. Volkswagen's boxy Polo is unashamedly a mini Golf GTI - it even has the same alloys. From a distance it's actually possible to confuse the two.
SEAT's Ibiza, on the other hand, is confident to plough its own furrow, with styling that - nose aside - differs noticeably from its Leon Cupra big brother. And the incorporation of a few tasty Lamborghini styling cues - like those sloping side creases, a big rear diffuser trim and a trapezoidal backbox - give the Ibiza a more contemporary appeal. The Ibiza's front-end is a tad tame though - the Polo boasts a more aggressive face - but from the car behind, the snarling SEAT looks more impressive. It's a similar story in the cabin as well - traditionalists will prefer the Polo's red-piped, GTI-badged retro vibe, whilst the Ibiza's more youthful 'F1'-logo'd approach woos a younger audience. And it is better equipped as standard too.
Get behind the wheel however and the differences diminish considerably. Fortunately both rivals come with VW's excellent XDS 'eLSD' which, in conjunction with the ESP, maximises traction and responsiveness when cornering. As a result both cars lap up bumpy and winding B-roads with aplomb, throwing away much of their soft image and delivering a rewarding, if not outright thrilling, drive. A good deal of these cars' natural tendency to understeer is removed and acceleration - identical in both - is easily a match for the competition. But switchable traction control means you can still happily spin the wheels if a momentary childish streak overtakes you.
The SEAT has a slightly firmer ride than Polo and the chassis feels marginally stiffer, but handling-wise it's hard to spot any significant difference on the road - although the SEAT does possess a more focused feel. Sadly though, the paddle-shift DSG transmission isn't optional - so complete control of the revs isn't easily achieved. Downchanges can feel momentarily delayed too. And one final thing - at high speed both contenders braking would benefit from an initially stronger bite.
So which to buy? If your hot hatch has to have five doors them the Ibiza obviously isn't for you; and with a facelifted VW Polo GTI due very soon the undecided would be wise to wait a few months before making a decision. There might even be a Polo R in the pipeline? The cheapest Ibiza Cupras are now under £10,000 though, which makes for pretty appealing value; whereas the earliest Polo GTI will set you back at least £11,495. And with identical running costs and very little difference in depreciation the judgement for most buyers will simply boil down to brand appeal. Traditional Volkswagen, or sexy SEAT? Either way you'll have a quick, competent and desirable hatch that rewards in all situations.
Interested? Search Volkswagen Polo GTI & SEAT Ibiza Cupras on PH Classifieds
VOLKSWAGEN POLO GTI
Engine: 1,390cc 4-cyl
Power (hp): 180@6,200rpm
Torque (lb ft): 184@2,000rpm
Transmission: 7-speed DSG
Kerb weight: 1,269kg
Top Speed: 142mph
0-62mph: 6.9secs
MPG (NEDC combined): 47.9
CO2: 139g/km
Price: £11,495 to £20,350
Manufactured: 2010-on
Love it: Practical performance in a compact package
Loathe it: It's a poor man's Golf GTI, right?
Spotted:2012 Polo GTI three-door, £12,750
SEAT IBIZA CUPRA
Engine: 1,390cc 4-cyl
Power (hp): 180@6,200rpm
Torque (lb ft): 184@2,000rpm
Transmission: 7-speed DSG
Kerb weight: 1,259kg
Top Speed: 142mph
0-62mph: 6.9secs
MPG (NEDC combined): 47.9
CO2: 139g/km
Price: £9,795 to £20,080
Manufactured: 2009-on
Love it: Dare to be different styling, more focused than the Polo
Loathe it: Go on, give us a manual version...
Spotted:2012 SEAT Ibiza Cupra, £10,977
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