It was nearly two years ago when PH first tried the
VW Polo Blue GT
, an innovative little warm hatch with that alluring combination of parsimony and performance; 62mph in less than eight seconds and over 60mpg combined. But cylinder deactivation didn't come cheap in 2012, and is no more affordable now; at £17,500 it was more expensive than the faster
Fabia vRS
and your VW dealer will currently ask £17,695 for the most basic 3-door Polo Blue GT.
Cheaper, quicker, cleaner; sounds good!
Step forward SEAT and its new Ibiza FR ACT (Active Cylinder Technology). Powered by the same 140hp 1.4 as the Polo, the Ibiza too is capable of over 60mpg (well, 60.1) and a 7.8-second dash to 62mph, but it starts at £15,320 for the 3-door hatch. And moreover, an ST estate is available too for practicality, parsimony and performance.
The FR ACT replaces the old FR 1.4 with fuel economy improving by 12.2mpg and emissions dropping by 30g/km. This is despite the old car running with a DSG and the new FR being manual only. A win-win combination, surely?
Furthermore, the new FR will cost less than the outgoing model despite the additional tech. Both hatch models and the estate are £1,015 less at RRP than the old 150hp car. An FR Edition model also joins the range in the two hatch variants, adding red calipers, red seatbelts, titanium coloured wheels, climate control and tinted rear windows for £600.
The latest Ibiza Cupra is available to order now with deliveries commencing in June. Will the Cupra now follow the Polo GTI's lead and get a manual too?