SEAT Ireland has announced pricing details for the hot Ibiza Cupra model and thrown the cat amongst the hot hatch pigeons by doing so. At €22,875 the 180hp Ibiza significantly undercuts rivals from Ford, Peugeot and (we believe) Renault. Set to spearhead the Ibiza's 132-plate offering, the Cupra looks to be the budget performance car enthusiasts have been waiting for.
Exterior
Available only in the sporty three-door 'SC' body shape the Ibiza Cupra wears 17-inch alloys as standard in addition to a lowered ride height. Bi-Xenon headlights, complete with LED daytime running lamps, will feature up front with LED lights also making an appearance in the rear. Also at the rear is a matt-black diffuser panel that houses the trapezoidal exhaust outlet.
Interior
Inside, the car features a Cupra sports steering wheel that hides shift paddles for the DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission. There are unique sports seats to give extra support and the SEAT Touch system comes as standard- it's a five-inch removable screen for mobile use, which provides hands-free phone, navigation and an on-board computer.
Mechanicals
The hot Ibiza model is powered by a 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine that has been tuned to produce 180hp and a meaty 250Nm of torque. This allows the Cupra model to hit 100km/h in 6.9 seconds from rest and gives a potential top speed of 228km/h. Despite the elevated performance the Ibiza Cupra can still return 5.9 litres/100km and, with emissions of 139g/km, costs just €280 a year to tax.
Like the Golf GTI the Ibiza Cupra features an XDS electronic differential that works to reduce understeer while cornering. The Cupra is also fitted with a sound actuator as standard to deliver a 'fruity' exhaust note. One of the few options available on an otherwise well specified car is the ability to upgrade from the standard performance brakes to a system supplied by AP Performance - for €1,271.
Anything else?
"The Ibiza Cupra offers powerful acceleration and excellent grip and handling characteristics at what we believe is a very competitive price," said SEAT Director Cian O'Brien. "There is no shortage of equipment on offer in the car despite the low price, so we believe this car is a truly excellent package."