Autoworld

SEAT’S scorching hot hatch stunners

• Ibiza FR, Cupra and Bocanegra prices revealed.
• Class-leading technology and stand-out styling throughout
• World-first use of DSG gearbox, twin-charger powerplants and XDS in supermini

The fire-breathing threesome, which are all available to order now with deliveries beginning on 1 October, bring innovative new technology to the sporting supermini segment for the very first time with RRPs starting at just £14,995.

Showcasing SEAT’s engineering prowess, while taking the brand’s sporty design to new heights with the concept car-inspired Bocanegra, the newcomers are poised to inject a serious dose of Latin passion into the compact hot hatch class.






























At the heart of all three of these Spanish fliers is SEAT’s mould-breaking new 1.4-litre TSI twin-charged petrol engine which is set up to deliver a potent 150 PS in the FR, and a downright fiery 180 PS in the range-topping Cupra and Bocanegra.

In either state of tune, the four cylinder 1.4-litre TSI uses state-of-the-art supercharging and turbocharging to reach its remarkable peak power outputs, with both forms of forced induction contributing to the engine’s enviably linear power delivery and commendably flat torque curve.































The new FR’s 150 PS version, for instance, provides its 220 Nm maximum pulling power at just 1,250 rpm and continues that right through to 4,500 rpm. Allied as it is to a new, second generation, seven-speed DSG, the engine can propel the lowered, stiffened Ibiza FR from rest to 62 mph in as little as 7.7 seconds and on to a top speed, where legal, that’s comfortably on the exciting side of 130 mph.

Steering wheel-mounted F1-style shift paddles allow the driver to wring every ounce of excitement out of the new, dual dry clutch, Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG) which, aside from allowing swifter gear changes than are humanly possible with a conventional ‘box, also improves fuel economy when compared to a standard manual transmission.

Provisional figures show the Ibiza FR’s combined fuel economy stands at 44.8 mpg, while CO2 emissions are put at just 146 g/km.
Predictably, it’s a similar story with the new Ibiza Cupra and Ibiza Bocanegra. Upping the output from the twin-charged 1.4 TSI to 180 PS, while employing the same cutting edge DSG transmission technology and clever XDS ‘electronic differential’ as the FR, this brace of exciting hot hatches is capable of yet more impressive performance.






























Both Cupra and Bocanegra will hit 62 mph from rest in a frenetic 7.2 seconds before pressing on, where legal, to a top speed of 140 mph.

Fuel economy for the 180 PS cars is no less impressive, considering the significant performance on offer. Both are provisionally put at 44.1 mpg on the combined cycle, with only fractionally higher CO2 stats than the Ibiza FR at 148 g/km.

All three cars come with a welter of suitably sporty styling features inside and out: unique front and rear bumpers (subtly different on all three models); arch-filling 17-inch alloys of various designs; sports seats and bespoke sports-orientated interior styling are just a few of the things that leave no one in any doubt these are no ‘ordinary’ Ibizas.

When it comes to out-and-out kerb appeal, though, it’s the flagship Ibiza Bocanegra that takes the honours. This exclusively-styled version of the Ibiza Cupra is the work of SEAT’s design chief Luc Donckerwolke, and brings his 2008 Geneva Motor Show concept car to the road.

Bocanegra (Spanish for ‘black mouth’ – since you ask) draws its styling inspiration from a classic 1970s SEAT that first coined the nickname as a result of its striking black front grille and bumper.

Today’s Bocanegra is no less striking, with a black mask-like effect that gives this model its special personality. Double headlights look like two prominent eyes on the face of the mask, which peer out from a completely black casing.

Black also dominates the central grille and its surround, with its spectacular honeycomb mesh, which perfectly coordinates with the innovative air vents beneath.

The middle portion of the bumper is also black, as is the broad lower grille, the latter’s size allowing ample engine cooling. Built-in fog lights are flanked by side air vents finished in black trim to round off the spectacular front end.

There are also black inserts in the lower middle portion of the Bocanegra’s rear, surrounding the prominent, centrally-mounted, trapezoidal exhaust.

Confirmed RRPs for all three models:
• Ibiza FR 1.4 TSI 150 PS DSG - £14,995
• Ibiza Cupra 1.4 TSI 180 PS DSG - £15,995
• Ibiza Bocanegra 1.4 TSI 180 PS DSG - £16,695