If you reckon the Polo GTI needs a little more spice Seat is here to help. They’ve just taken the covers off their Ibiza Cupra Concept in Beijing and it looks pretty much ready to roll off the production line to us.
We have already discovered the Pogo is a damn good package. The Polo is even made in Spain, too. So with Seat’s increased local flavour added to the Ibiza, Volkswagen’s little hot hatch in drag has been granted a new lease of life.
The styling retains Seat’s more extroverted cues but possesses more maturity and refinement than we’ve seen before. After all the hyperbole and angst that Chris Bangle endured during his time at BMW, the flame-inspired body panels of the Seat prove (to us anyway) that Bangle was bang on the money.
James Muir, President of SEAT, explains the Ibiza is key to their entry into the Chinese market: “Emotional design and refined dynamics guarantee driving fun on every single kilometre. We are presenting the Ibiza Cupra Concept at the Beijing Motor Show because this compact athlete will be an important element in the development of our brand in this key market.”
Hey James, what about Australia?
Seat Ibiza Cupra Concept world debut in Beijing
/ New, powerful design
/ Muscular performance, innovative technology
/ Exclusive equipment, even better quality
Just days after it went on sale in the UK SEAT is taking the already sporty design of the New Ibiza up another notch, with the world debut of the Cupra Concept at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition.
SEAT is presenting the Ibiza Cupra Concept as a close-to-production concept car. Even more clearly than before, the Ibiza Cupra Concept shows the SEAT DNA in its most concentrated form – vigorous performance, the latest technology and comprehensive equipment clad in an emotional design. With its compact dimensions, the Ibiza Cupra Concept is a sports car for everyday use, combining agile driving fun with a high degree of functionality. The production version of the new Ibiza Cupra Concept will arrive towards the end of the year.
The Ibiza Cupra Concept is fitted with SEAT’s award-winning 1.4-litre TSI four-cylinder petrol engine, featuring direct injection and both a turbocharger and a supercharger. It produces a maximum power output of 180 PS, transmitted to the front wheels via a highly-sophisticated seven-speed DSG transmission with shift paddles. Other highlights include XDS electronic differential lock, high-performance brakes and an optional SEAT Portable System that combines navigation and entertainment functions and is removable for mobile use.
‘With its new, powerfully accentuated design, its innovative technologies, upgraded interior and further improved quality, the new Ibiza Cupra Concept clearly shows how our brand is continuing to develop,’ says James Muir, President of SEAT, S.A. ‘Emotional design and refined dynamics guarantee driving fun on every single kilometre. We are presenting the Ibiza Cupra Concept at the Beijing Motor Show because this compact athlete will be an important element in the development of our brand in this key market.’
The dynamic icon of the SEAT brand
The first generation of the Ibiza Cupra took to the streets in 1996, since when the dynamic Cupra lineage has developed to become an icon of the SEAT brand. The Ibiza Cupra Concept shows how the next chapter of this success story will be written – the state-of-the-art 1.4 TSI engine is not only powerful but is also muscular, producing a maximum torque of 250 Nm. For a race car-style driving experience, the seven-speed DSG transmission with its extremely short shift times can also be operated via paddles behind the steering wheel.
‘Immediate and linear acceleration, with agile handling, good traction and responsive brakes are the key ingredients for what the Cupra name represents,’ says Dr. Matthias Rabe, Vice President for Research and Development at SEAT S.A. ‘The new Ibiza Cupra Concept is a perfect example of how we at SEAT are adapting the latest Volkswagen Group technology to create a unique and highly rewarding package.’
Expressive design with powerful lines
The sharp design communicates the spirit of the new Ibiza Cupra Concept from the very first glance – this compact hot hatch has a solid and powerful stance. The new face with its broad grille and bold air intakes emphasises the breadth, solidity and power of the Ibiza Cupra Concept. The sophisticated design of the headlamps shows the attention to detail in the work carried out at the SEAT Design Center. Typical of SEAT’s design language are the highly defined outlines to the lamps, which at the same time are integrated perfectly into the Ibiza’s sculptural form. The LED daytime running lights trace the line of the headlamps to deliver a unique light signature, as do the LED rear lights. From a technical point of view, the bi-xenon headlamps provide enhanced illumination, while cornering lights are integrated into the large fog lamps.
In profile the three-door Ibiza SC bodyshape is brought to life by its sharply drawn lines and edges, while the muscular rear shoulders and 17-inch wheels underscore its dynamics. The exterior mirrors are painted gloss black – as is the Cupra tradition – and offer a clear contrast to the distinctive Crono Yellow paint finish of the Cupra Concept in Beijing. The powerful rear end underscores once more the special role of the Ibiza Cupra as the new benchmark among compact sports cars – the yellow of the broad bumper frames the substantial, matt-black, diffuser and the trapezoidal exhaust outlet.
Clear interior of the very best quality
The emotional power of the exterior design is also apparent from the interior of the Ibiza Cupra Concept and in the clean, minimalist and clearly structured cockpit. The exceptional feeling of quality and precision craftsmanship serves to underscore SEAT’s incredibly high standards. The new sports steering wheel with the Cupra logo and the shift paddles for the DSG transmission, the dedicated instruments and the leather sports seats with their lateral flashes of yellow to match the Cupra exterior are all clear indications of the special role held by the top version of the Ibiza range.
The entertainment system in the Ibiza Cupra Concept is completely new – and the powerful audio set-up can be complemented by the innovative SEAT Portable System. The highly affordable solution with a 5-inch screen is removable for mobile use and yet perfectly integrated into the vehicle’s electronics. Its many functions include a navigation system, hands-free phone system with voice control and an on-board computer. At a later point, the SEAT Portable System will be available as an option for the entire Ibiza family.
With the Ibiza Cupra Concept, driving enjoyment and cutting-edge engineering are guaranteed.
3 replies on “Auto China 2012: Seat Ibiza Cupra Concept”
WTF?
Why is it Polo GTI owners wait 18 months for a GTI when AUDI A1 can get their fugly cars straight away along with Skoda and now SEAT?
VWG WHAT ARE YOU DOING????????
Idiots…
It’d be great to see SEAT in Australia. I was in Europe over Chirstmas and early this year , and SEATs are quite popular. I even had an Exeo Sport as a rental – it may be a re-badged A4, but if there was a Manual Exeo Wagon in Australia I’d be there to buy one!
What a cracking looking car!! If only Seat had worked out in Australia in the 90’s : ( The 1.4 TSI engine is brilliant but hopefully they don’t knobbly it with DSG only like the Polo.
And referring to the XDS electronic differential lock as a highlight is a bit of a stretch. It’s no match for a good old fashioned mechanical limited slip diff in my opinion.