NOT many realise that SEAT Ibiza as a model has been on the road for 20 years with over 3.5 million sold, including 160,000 in the UK.
Always a good-looker, it can hold its head high in the supermini class because it scored a hat-trick of title wins in 2003, 2004 and 2005.
The very first SEATs were not that exciting, but over the two decades it has developed good looks, excellent safety, youthful appeal, good economy and excellent value-for-money.
Made in Spain as part of the Volkswagen family, the Ibiza is as glamorous as the holiday island that carries its name, and has the good looks and good style of those who enjoy life there.
Now we have a new version with an even sportier attitude, great new looks, stunning face, a revised range and lower prices for the hottest versions.
The changes give the range a fresh look and take the model into line with stablemates Leon and Altea. Of all cars that drive towards us, there is no better frontal layout than that projected by the Ibiza. It is stunning.
There is a bold new front bumper with three air vents and smart, not too deep, headlamps which previously were fitted to the Supra sporting versions, but now go across the range.
It comes in three and five-door versions with five equipment and trim levels with the option of eight power units under the bonnet.
First I tried the Stylance version with a lively 1.4 16–valve engine that developed 75 bhp and costs £8,995. Combined consumption is 43mpg and top speed 107mph with 0–62mph coming in 13.2 seconds.
The equipment is very comprehensive exterior-wise getting rear wash-wipe and spoiler, tinted windows and headlights with electrical adjustment.
Inside, the luxury includes pollen filter and air recirculation, internally adjustable mirrors, radio-CD with six speakers and pockets in front seat backs.
Also there is electric power steering, remote-central locking, immobiliser and anti-lock brakes. My Stylance had in addition climate control, opening rear windows because it had three doors, front fog lights, trip computer, height-adjustable driver’s seat with storage box underneath, and also adjustable passenger seat.
The Stylance had more than adequate output for two occupants, but I think gear changes would be more frequent with four inside. Still, a delightful car.
Then it was into the diesel 1.9 TDi PD costing £13,120 with the FR guise. With it an engine which develops 130bhp and gives 53.3mpg, a top speed of 129mph and 0–62mph in 9.4 seconds.
The six-speed gearbox was very smooth just like the power unit, too. The turbocharger makes all the difference and again, like so many of today’s diesels, it was difficult to tell the difference compared with petrol of the same power.
For those who love a bit of sport, the FR gets the honeycomb grille treatment, smart badging – which others do not have – electric door mirrors, 17–inch alloys, chrome twin exhaust pipes, special trim on the rear light casings and front light trim.
Inside one gets air conditioning, front side airbags, leather trim on wheel, gear lever and handbrake grip, trip computer, white instrument dials which always look good, MP3 compatible CD player with steering wheel-mounted controls and sports seats.
What makes the Ibiza FR so exciting to drive is the additional traction control, sports suspension and again that six-speed gearbox.
Prices start at £7,545 but as you go up the range you can find a reduction of £980 on FRs which means a lot of car for the price.
The new Ibiza’s large exterior dimensions allow a bigger interior with great width, height and legroom. It is one of the widest cars in its class and the sculpted seats make life so much better.
If you want a real bargain, go up to the 1.8 20–valve turbo Cupra model which develops 180bhp. It costs £14,425 for the petrol version and saves over £1,000.
