SEAT Launches the upgraded Ibiza CUPRA, the small car that drives like a car far bigger.

• Outstanding performance, thanks to power upgrade of 12PS to 192 PS
• 100 km/h in only 6.7 seconds, yet average fuel consumption of just 6.0 litres
• New premium interior – distinctive, powerful design
• Optimum connectivity with Full Link

The new Ibiza CUPRA shows the essence of the SEAT brand in its purest form – emotional design, outstanding performance and state-of-the-art technology unite to form one of the most dynamic cars in its class. 

With its compact dimensions and excellent functionality, the Ibiza CUPRA is the perfect hot hatch for everyday use. The performance generated by the 1.8-litre TSI engine is impressive – acceleration from 0-100 km/h in just 6.7 seconds, a top speed of 235 km/h – paired with exceptional efficiency. 

The new interior creates an extraordinary feeling of quality, while SEAT Full Link, the SEAT DriveApp and the SEAT ConnectApp enable optimum connectivity. In one area, however, there was very little room for improvement – the Ibiza’s emotional and dynamic design is incredibly well received by customers and is cited as the main reason for purchasing the Spanish model.

“The Ibiza CUPRA is an icon of the SEAT brand. Its striking design and refined performance promise driving pleasure mile after mile,” says Jürgen Stackmann, President of SEAT, S.A.  “With its innovative connectivity, upgraded interior and further improved quality, the new Ibiza CUPRA clearly shows the speed at which our brand continues to develop.”

A success story starts a new chapter. The first generation of the Ibiza CUPRA hit the road in 1996, with highly dynamic CUPRA models have developing to become a core element of the SEAT brand ever since. 

The next chapter of this story is being written by the new Ibiza CUPRA: 141 kW / 192 PS, XDS electronic differential lock, high-performance brakes, CUPRA Drive Profile with adjustable damping ­– the high level of technology in the new Ibiza CUPRA is as much as given as the extensive equipment with innovative details. 

One example is the new SEAT infotainment systems, which offer exclusive solutions for optimum smartphone integration with Full Link and the SEAT DriveApp.

“Responsive, powerful acceleration, extremely precise handling, good traction and fade-free brakes guarantee the kind of driving fun that the CUPRA name stands for,” says Dr. Matthias Rabe, Vice-President for Research and Development at SEAT S.A. “The new Ibiza CUPRA is a perfect example of how we at SEAT bring together the very latest technologies from the Volkswagen Group to create a unique and highly distinctive overall package.”

Exceptional performance, state-of-the-art technology

The new 1.8 TSI engine with turbocharger and combined direct / indirect injection is a compact piece of hi-tech that guarantees exceptionally refined performance from its 141 kW / 192 PS. 

Power is up by 12 PS compared with its predecessor, but the greater advance is in the torque. Instead of the previous 250 Nm, there are now 320 Nm on call – across an extremely broad rev range from 1,450 to 4,200 rpm. This delivers incredibly forceful pulling power in any given situation. 

A 0-100 km/h acceleration figure of 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 235 km/h put it in the premier league of fast superminis. Nevertheless, the Ibiza CUPRA can still deliver impressive fuel economy of just 6.0 litres per 100 kilometres, on the combined cycle.

CUPRA Drive Profile with adaptive suspension

The Ibiza CUPRA comes as standard with 17-inch wheels and suspension tuned for maximum agility and precision. One new standard feature is the CUPRA Drive Profile, which allow its ride and handling characteristics to be adapted at the touch of a button to suit driver preferences. 

This encompasses CUPRA Selective Suspension, an adaptive suspension control system that let you choose between comfort or sport suspension and also modifies the steering behaviour. The XDS electronic differential lock dials out understeer and improves handling, especially under fast cornering. 

The ESP electronic stability system, complete with hill start assist and multi-collision brake, and tiredness detection system are likewise part of the standard safety package in the Ibiza CUPRA. The Ibiza has been awarded the highest five-star rating in the Euro NCAP crash test.

Expressive design with powerful lines

The expressive design conveys the character of the new Ibiza CUPRA from the very first glance – this dynamic compact car has a powerful and muscular stance. The exterior design is still very much up-to-the-minute and incredibly well received by customers and prospects alike. 

The edgy line of the standard bi-xenon lights is a typical element of the SEAT design language, perfectly integrated into the Ibiza’s sculptural form. The LED daytime running lights trace the line of the headlamp to form a unique light signature, as do the LED rear lights.

The side view of the three-door coupé is brought to life by the sharply executed lines and edges, while the accentuated rear shoulders and exclusive 17-inch wheels underline its performance. The high-gloss black exterior mirrors set a clear contrast to the Ibiza CUPRA’s paintwork. 

The powerful rear end once again emphasises the special role played by the Ibiza CUPRA as a hot hatch, with the broad bumper framing the substantial, matt-black diffuser, which incorporates the trapezoidal tailpipe.

Extensively upgraded interior

The upgrades in the redesigned interior are all the more apparent. The new design concept includes a harmonious balance between the car’s distinctive character, functionality and precision – evident in every line and every surface of the new interior. 

The cockpit’s horizontal proportions and driver focus make a compelling statement through the optimum layout of all elements and the soft-touch finish. The attention to detail is apparent in the new steering wheel from the Leon family, the air vents, the new instrument panel and the infotainment systems. 

This new interface in particular creates an intense relationship between driver and technology, with simple functionality and clear operation. The interior design reflects the inspiration of Barcelona, the home of SEAT, and is condensed into the characteristic simplicity of the brand’s feel.

Perfect connectivity with Full Link

Alongside MirrorLink^TM, the SEAT Full Link connectivity solution incorporates the functions of Apple Car Play^TM and Android Auto^TM. Users can be online, while retaining full concentration on the road, and make use of the various permitted functions conveniently and safely via the touchscreen in the new Ibiza. 

In the case of Apple CarPlay, those functions currently cover phone, messaging, music and maps, with more to follow in future. MirrorLink is another perfect technology that enables the safe operation of smartphones and many of their functions and apps via the Ibiza CUPRA’s infotainment system by “mirroring” the smartphone screen on the touchscreen in the redesigned Ibiza cockpit. 

This works seamlessly with a growing number of MirrorLink-compatible Android smartphones.

Android Auto provides quick and easy access to navigation, communications, and music applications and services in a way that is safer than accessing these apps on the phone screen while driving.

New SEAT DriveApp

The new SEAT DriveApp has been developed exclusive for users of SEAT FullLink and MirrorLink. It offers a whole range of innovative functions that can be used either in or outside the Ibiza CUPRA. 

For instance, the vehicle’s touchscreen can be personalised with local weather reports or contacts. Plus, the SEAT DriveApp uses “text to speech” to read out the latest posts from Facebook or Twitter, while “Challenger” offers interesting challenges to optimise driving skills, leading to a more efficient driving style. 

On leaving the vehicle, the “where is my car” function stores the Ibiza’s current position and finds it again whenever necessary.

New SEAT ConnectApp

The Spanish car maker has agreed a cooperation with Samsung for the development of innovative connectivity solutions and is offering the new SEAT ConnectApp within the MirrorLink technology as an initial step. 

It makes perfect use of MirrorLink integration – the driver is “always on”, yet remains fully concentrated on the traffic. One new and exclusive function is gesture control, enabling functions such as calls or contacts to be called up on the SEAT Media System touchscreen. The welcome screen of the SEAT ConnectApp can be personalised to display information such as the current weather forecast or appointments. With “smart tips”, the app learns personal preferences such as frequent destinations and can issue appointment reminders. 

A wide range of other functions are already available at launch of the SEAT ConnectApp, with regular updates scheduled to follow in the months ahead.

SEAT is the only company with the full-range capacity to design, develop, manufacture and market cars in Spain. A member of the Volkswagen Group, the multinational has its headquarters in Martorell (Barcelona), exporting more than 80% of its vehicles, and is present in 75 countries. In 2014 SEAT’s invoicing totalled almost 7.5 billion euros, the highest figure in its history, with worldwide sales of 390,500 units.

SEAT Group employs more than 14,000 professionals at its three production centres – Barcelona, El Prat de Llobregat and Martorell, where it manufactures the highly successful Ibiza and Leon. Additionally, the company produces the Alhambra in Portugal, the Mii in Slovakia and the Toledo in the Czech Republic. 

The multinational has a Technical Centre, which celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2015. This ‘knowledge hub’, bringing together close to 1,000 engineers, aims to be the driving force behind innovation for the number one industrial investor in R&D in Spain. In line with its declared commitment to environmental protection, SEAT undertakes and bases its activity on sustainability, namely reduction of CO₂ emissions and energy efficiency.