RE: New SEAT Ibiza Cupra

RE: New SEAT Ibiza Cupra

Tuesday 1st September 2015

New SEAT Ibiza Cupra

Bigger - yes, bigger - 1.8-litre engine, 192hp, manual gearbox and adjustable dampers for heavily updated hot Ibiza



While the rest of the motoring world grapples with reduced cc, fewer cylinders and the inexorable rise of the automated gearbox, the hot hatches spun off the Polo GTI seem to be going the other way. Previously powered by the 180hp 1.4-litre 'twincharger' turbo/supercharged motor and only available with a seven-speed DSG, the Polo and its SEAT Ibiza Cupra and Skoda Fabia vRS relatives were all much of a muchness.

Another one for a packed segment!
Another one for a packed segment!
Then the Polo came back from a mid-life facelift with a most off-trend addition of a bigger 192hp 1.8-litre turbo and option of a proper manual.

We rather liked it when we drove it and now its closely related SEAT brother is getting the same upgrade as part of a refresh debuting very shortly at Frankfurt. The additional power - and a hike in torque from 184lb ft to 236lb ft - contribute to improved performance with a top speed of 146mph and a 0-62 time of 6.7 seconds. Which, on paper, is fast enough to put it on equal terms with key rivals like the Clio Renaultsport 200, Peugeot 208 GTI and Fiesta ST.

In a demonstration of the march of trickle down tech from 'bigger' cars the new Ibiza Cupra also features two-mode dampers as part of driver configurable system branded Cupra Drive Profile. Familiar enough from its Leon big brother and others within the group, it also influences the steering weight, ESP and response from the limited-slip differential simulating XDS system. Familiar enough tech, it's purely brake based rather than mechanical or fully active like the Leon's but better than nothing. The 1.8 TSI engine is impressive in its features too, including combined direct and indirect fuel injection like many cars in the VW group, up to and including the Lamborghini Huracan and Audi R8.

No news on the Bocanegra's return...
No news on the Bocanegra's return...
There's more tech in the updated cabin as well, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to pair the car up with your smartphone while Mirror Link recreates your handset's interface on the car's touchscreen. There's also a new SEAT DriveApp to, god forbid, read out Facebook and Twitter posts from your friends as you drive. It also features a 'Challenger' function, which probably isn't as much fun as the promise to 'offer interesting challenges to optimise driving skills' sounds, given that it apparently encourages 'a more efficient driving style'.

Pricing in comparison to its VW sibling will be key; given SEATs are traditionally keen in this regard if you were thinking of a Polo GTI it might be worth holding on until we get confirmation of the new Ibiza Cupra's bottom line before committing. More when we have it.







Author
Discussion

GTEYE

Original Poster:

2,092 posts

209 months

Tuesday 1st September 2015
quotequote all
"Heavily updated" seems a little bit stretching the truth, "very mildly facelifted" might be closer to reality...

Crusoe

4,068 posts

230 months

Tuesday 1st September 2015
quotequote all
GTEYE said:
"Heavily updated" seems a little bit stretching the truth, "very mildly facelifted" might be closer to reality...
New engine, gearbox and suspension is a fairly large change even if it doesn't look like it. Manufacturers need to start removing the all or nothing button and giving you back the option of the parts you want on and off though, more likely to want the sport engine and steering with the softer suspension setting in the uk for example.

sh33n

194 posts

186 months

Tuesday 1st September 2015
quotequote all
This is very much of interest as the wife wants / needs a new car and an auto is a must. Is it just me or does this look exactly the same as previous versions and perhaps even a tad boring?

I'm not a fan of the Polo because it's a bit of a yawn to look at and this appears to be going the same way....

burningdinos

122 posts

120 months

Tuesday 1st September 2015
quotequote all
Very unlikely that it will be superior to that pesky Fiesta ST as an overall package. I'd expect close to 200bhp from a 1.8 litre.

At least it has a manual, like a true hot hatch should bounce

daydotz

1,741 posts

160 months

Tuesday 1st September 2015
quotequote all
The interior is welcome but it looks no different then the previous facelift cupra

JockySteer

1,407 posts

115 months

Tuesday 1st September 2015
quotequote all
I used to own the Bocanegra and despite the DSG being a very effective and sometimes gratifying shift, a manual was missed. Should be a fun car!

CedricN

819 posts

144 months

Tuesday 1st September 2015
quotequote all
I had the one with the twincharge engine. Exceptionally nice with max boost from no revs at all and then reeved nicely to 7k, felt very urgent. Then the hilarious oil consumption, that and cost reduction is probably why the 1.4 is out. Will be interesting to drive the 1.8 to see if it is fun enough. But isn't it time for a new ibiza soon?

Mafffew

2,149 posts

110 months

Tuesday 1st September 2015
quotequote all
burningdinos said:
Very unlikely that it will be superior to that pesky Fiesta ST as an overall package. I'd expect close to 200bhp from a 1.8 litre.

At least it has a manual, like a true hot hatch should bounce
It should make for an interesting comparison. Arguably the biggest issue the ST has is the ride. Softer suspension in the Cupra will certainly attract those who value their spines over handling.

Mercury00

4,098 posts

155 months

Tuesday 1st September 2015
quotequote all
Crusoe said:
New engine, gearbox and suspension is a fairly large change even if it doesn't look like it. Manufacturers need to start removing the all or nothing button and giving you back the option of the parts you want on and off though, more likely to want the sport engine and steering with the softer suspension setting in the uk for example.
They didn't really have a choice with the engine though, the last one didn't work properly.

Andy S15

399 posts

126 months

Tuesday 1st September 2015
quotequote all
If it's anything like the Polo, it will have traction/stability control you can't fully turn off and handling leaning far more towards safety and understeer than the lairyness of the ST.

I actually like the styling of the new Polo GTI. Can't get behind the looks of this one though.

morgrp

4,128 posts

197 months

Tuesday 1st September 2015
quotequote all
I was a fan of the twin charged engine despite its love of oil and the dsg box was a gem too but I agree a hot hatch needs a manual box and the 1.8 tsi is a much better choice of motor if it's a modified version of the one in the yeti then it''ll be great

morgrp

4,128 posts

197 months

Tuesday 1st September 2015
quotequote all
I was a fan of the twin charged engine despite its love of oil and the dsg box was a gem too but I agree a hot hatch needs a manual box and the 1.8 tsi is a much better choice of motor if it's a modified version of the one in the yeti then it''ll be great

GroundEffect

13,815 posts

155 months

Tuesday 1st September 2015
quotequote all
Crusoe said:
GTEYE said:
"Heavily updated" seems a little bit stretching the truth, "very mildly facelifted" might be closer to reality...
New engine, gearbox and suspension is a fairly large change even if it doesn't look like it. Manufacturers need to start removing the all or nothing button and giving you back the option of the parts you want on and off though, more likely to want the sport engine and steering with the softer suspension setting in the uk for example.
Which puts the engineering bill through the roof. They have to develop each variant. Not going to happen.


British Beef

2,191 posts

164 months

Tuesday 1st September 2015
quotequote all
Dull Dash of the year is in the bag for this thing!!

Black on black, with some black plastic bits stuck on for good measure.

va1o

16,029 posts

206 months

Tuesday 1st September 2015
quotequote all
Agree with the comments that it isn't really 'heavily updated', but still should make for a fun hot hatchback. The latest Polo GTI has been well received and this should offer similar at a lower price point.

Antj

1,041 posts

199 months

Tuesday 1st September 2015
quotequote all
so we have a new 1.8 Polo Gti and now we have anew Seat Ibiza 1.8 Cupra............Yet still skoda say they will not build a Fabia VRS. considering the Fabia VRS mk2 outsold both the Polo gti and Ibiza Cupra Combined how do they justify this.......madness

Antj

1,041 posts

199 months

Tuesday 1st September 2015
quotequote all
Andy S15 said:
If it's anything like the Polo, it will have traction/stability control you can't fully turn off and handling leaning far more towards safety and understeer than the lairyness of the ST.

I actually like the styling of the new Polo GTI. Can't get behind the looks of this one though.
probably not as the leon has fully turn off traction yet the golf equivalent does not

Mercury00

4,098 posts

155 months

Tuesday 1st September 2015
quotequote all
Antj said:
so we have a new 1.8 Polo Gti and now we have anew Seat Ibiza 1.8 Cupra............Yet still skoda say they will not build a Fabia VRS. considering the Fabia VRS mk2 outsold both the Polo gti and Ibiza Cupra Combined how do they justify this.......madness
That'll be the official reason. In reality VW won't want them taking sales from the other brands as Skoda is supposed to be the least sporty of the four.

AlexC1981

4,903 posts

216 months

Tuesday 1st September 2015
quotequote all
Mercury00 said:
They didn't really have a choice with the engine though, the last one didn't work properly.
Do you know if the 1.2 tsi engine has similar problems to the 1.4? I am just about to buy a 1.2 tsi Ibiza.

Djtemeka

1,802 posts

191 months

Tuesday 1st September 2015
quotequote all
Looks a bit... boring :/