The Seat Ibiza Cupra is the long-awaited hot hatch version of the Spanish supermini. But while the standard Ibiza is a good-looking but average model, the Cupra promises more driving fun courtesy of its array of technical wizardry.
Adrian Hearn travelled to Barcelona to test drive the new Ibiza Cupra and Ibiza Bocanegra models.
The supermini hot hatch is a tough market to crack. The Renault Clio Renaultsport is the model to beat thanks to its fantastic handling, pace and reasonable pricing.
But Seat has given potential Clio RS buyers something to think about with its Ibiza Cupra and Ibiza Bocanegra models.
The Cupra and Bocanegra are near identical models with the latter a ‘halo’ model in design terms getting a few cosmetic adjustments – chief among which is the ‘Bocanegra’, Spanish for ‘black nose’.
Besides that, both models are fairly similar in design: picture a standard three-door Seat Ibiza, put it on a diet of red meat and creatine and you’ve got muscular looking little hot hatch.
You get 17-inch alloys, an aggressive front and plenty of sleek design lines. The twin exhausts are housed within a larger trapezoidal pod in Lamborghini-esque style. Well, it was designed by former Lambo man Luc Donckerwolke…
It’s slightly disappointing that the Bocanegra is just a Cupra with a few bells and whistles. We can’t help thinking that as a halo model Seat could have made it that little bit harder, just to distinguish its on-road dynamics from the Cupra and give it more of an identity.
Under the bonnet of the Cupra and Bocanegra is the 1.4-litre supercharged and turbocharged engine similar to the lump used in VW Scirocco. But instead of producing 170bhp, Seat’s engineers have gone to work on its electronic management system and turbo pressure, upping oomph to 180bhp.
Marry this power to a seven-speed semi-automatic gearbox with steering wheel-mounted paddles and the Cupra and Bocanegra will accelerate from 0-62mph in 7.2 seconds, and on to a top speed of 140mph. This is a quick car.
It’s enormously refined on the motorway with very little road noise. And it feels fast, with swift gear changes and the supercharger, turbocharger and turned-up-to-11 exhaust providing a sporty soundtrack.
In a straight line it’s great and in the corners it excels too with an electric system known as XDS, which acts like a limited slip differential and channels power to the wheel with most grip on the bends. It’s similar to what’s used on the new Golf GTi and does help limit understeer but the Cupra and Bocanegra will both stray wide if put under enough pressure.
The steering is sharp and poised with plenty of feedback enabling an excellent change of direction.
The Cupra and Bocanegra are fantastic hot hatches but they are only available with the seven-speed semi-auto ‘box so you never feel quite as engaged as you are when driving a manual such as the Clio Renaultsport.
Seat doesn’t plan on bringing out a manual version for the time being because they see DSG as the future.
The Spanish wing of the VW Group could be right because it’s fast and easy and a much better alternative when in heavy traffic. But if you’re looking for a full-blooded hot hatch then it’s likely you’ll want the option of a manual – and it’s likely to be considerably cheaper with a manual gearbox than a semi-auto.
Renault has built a more engaging driver’s car in the Clio RS which is a fantastic handling hot hatch on the track. But the Seat Ibiza Cupra and Bocanegra beat the French-mobile when it comes to running costs.
Thanks to a smaller, greener engine, the Ibizas emit a fantastically low 148g/km of carbon dioxide with a claimed fuel economy of 44.8mpg. This trounces the Clio RS’s 195g/km and 34.4mpg with Seat claiming Ibiza drivers will save £400 a year through fuel and tax bills alone.
The Ibizas also have a far better quality interior than the Clio where, ultimately, the focus is on driver thrills. While the Ibiza may not provide the on-the-limit thrills of the Clio it will be easier to live with and that’s a key point when you’re looking at a car.
If you want an outright handling star then the Clio is your thing. But if you don’t mind sitting back and relaxing in comfortable surroundings while still having the potential to boot in when required then the Ibiza Cupra and Bocanegra models are a great choice of vehicles.
Model tested: Seat Ibiza Cupra, Ibiza Bocanegra
On the road price: £15,995, £16,695
Insurance group range: 14E
CO2 emissions range: 148g/km
EuroNCAP result: *****
Date tested: July 2009
Road tester: Adrian Hearn
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