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| The new SEAT Ibiza |
The next generation of the successful Spanish model is here – the new SEAT Ibiza captures the heart with its young, emotional design and fun-to-drive zest, and convinces the head with its innovative technologies and further improved functionality and quality.
Plus, the new line-up offers enormous breadth to meet every individual demand – from the compact and sporty three-door Ibiza SC, to the dynamic and universal five-door Ibiza, to the elegantly practical Ibiza ST estate car.
When it comes to engines, the line-up extends from the extremely efficient Ibiza E-Ecomotive with 89 grams of CO2/km to the exceptionally sporty Ibiza FR with 110 kW (150 hp).
There are two strengths in particular that are common to all versions – a very high standard of quality and outstanding value for money. Market launch of the new SEAT Ibiza is scheduled for spring 2012.
The Ibiza is one of the best-selling models in its segment throughout Europe and the average age of its buyers is the youngest in its market segment. Design has long been one of the Ibiza’s foremost strengths – named as the most important reason for purchase by customers, and to the same degree across all three body variants.
This trend is set to continue in future – with its modern, fresh and optimistic look, the new Ibiza marks a further significant development of the SEAT design identity and prepares the way for future models.
“The Ibiza is an important foundation for our brand. With the new generation, we are taking a clear step forward – the fresh and young design language speaks to SEAT’s unique and distinctive character.
It underscores the precision and quality of our products,” says James Muir President of SEAT, S.A. “This makes the new Ibiza a crucial element in SEAT’s forward strategy. It will grow its success even further, not least in our new market of China.”
Beneath its striking design, the new Ibiza offers an impressive array of innovative technologies. The latest-generation state-of-the-art TDI and TSI power units, the DSG transmissions and the start/stop system combine dynamics with exceptional efficiency and guarantee SEAT’s signature driving fun.
“The new Ibiza is a clear showcase for SEAT’s technical expertise. Emotional design, a thrilling drive and an exceptionally high quality standard deliver an extremely distinctive product character.
The Ibiza is the sportiest and most versatile offering in its competitive field,” says Dr. Matthias Rabe, Vice President for Research and Development at SEAT, S.A.
Sporty character and high product quality are written all over the new Ibiza’s face – SEAT Design stands for technology and precision, as well as for youthful avant garde. The distinctive centrepiece is the trapezoidal grille featuring the SEAT logo.
The flatter proportions and horizontal honeycomb structure of the grille and the lower air intake emphasize the width of the new Ibiza. The bumpers front and rear have been redesigned with a look that is particularly accentuated on the sporty Ibiza FR version. Standard equipment on the FR and available as an option on the other models are the large fog lamps with integrated cornering lights.
The sophisticated design of the headlamps bears testament to the enormous attention afforded by SEAT to the details. The edgy style of the lamps is a hallmark feature of the new SEAT design language, while being perfectly integrated into the Ibiza’s sculptural form.
The headlamps are available in two halogen versions or with optional bi-xenon lamps and LED daytime running lights. The latter trace the form of the headlamps to deliver a unique light signature, as do the optional LED rear lights (standard on the FR).
From the side, the new Ibiza looks like a precisely hewn sculpture on wheels. The characteristic “Línea Dinámica” runs from the headlamps over the powerfully drawn wheel arches to the rear.
A second, equally sharp character line runs across the muscular rear shoulders to the rear lamps. These powerful lines and the interplay of taut surfaces lend the Ibiza an athletic character – on both the three-door sports coupé and the universal five-door.
And even the functional estate car conveys an unmatched look of dynamism – without any restriction to its exceptional utility. The self-confident design of the rear end gives the Ibiza ST a very powerful sign-off.
The roof-edge spoiler with integrated third brake light protrudes a little beyond the large rear windscreen. The rear lights emphasise the width of the vehicle with their horizontal, inward running design. At the spot where their extended lines meet is the large SEAT logo that – as on the five-door and SC, too – serves as the handle for the rear hatch.
The efficiency highlight is the Ibiza 1.2 TDI CR E-Ecomotive with an average fuel consumption of just 3.4 litres/100 km. This equates to a first-class CO2 figure of 89 grams/km – in all bodyshell variants.
Yet the compact hi-tech TDI delivers attractive performance with its 55 kW (75 hp) and its highly respectable torque of 180 Newton metres. The Ibiza 1.2 TDI CR E-Ecomotive is fitted as standard with start/stop technology that contributes to fuel saving without the driver having to make a conscious effort.
When the car stops at a red light, for instance, and the driver goes into neutral, the start/stop system switches the engine off. As soon as the clutch pedal is depressed again, the engine immediately restarts automatically. The car is also equipped with a recuperation system that regenerates energy during every braking manoeuvre. This reduces the load on the engine and lowers fuel consumption.
The efficient Aerodynamic package on the Ibiza 1.2 TDI CR E-Ecomotive incorporates an enclosed radiator grille and a lower air intake that optimises airflow within the engine compartment. It also includes a 40 millimetre longer front spoiler, a spoiler on the rear hatch, special deflectors on the rear wheel arches and 15-inch wheels with closed covers.
These modifications result in a drag coefficient of 0.30. A shift recommendation display and slightly increased tyre pressure (2.9 bar front, 2.7 bar rear) complete the efficiency savings package of the Ibiza 1.2 TDI CR E-Ecomotive.
The equipment lines of the Ibiza range have also been revised, independent of bodyshell form. The base model Reference makes a compelling argument with all the key comfort and safety features. Above it is the Style version, which comes with air conditioning as standard. The Ibiza FR sets particularly sporty accents with expressive design elements front and rear, alloy wheels and a leather-clad steering wheel.
The FR version of the new Ibiza is available in all bodyshell variants with the 1.2 TSI (77 kW/105 hp) or 1.4 TSI (110 kW/150 hp) petrol engines, or the 1.6 TDI CR (77 kW/105 hp) diesel. Reserved exclusively for the Ibiza SC FR and Ibiza FR is the 2.0 TDI CR (105 kW/143 hp) diesel. And every Ibiza can be adapted perfectly to suit personal style and individual preferences with an extensive range of colours, options and accessories.
The Ibiza runs on redesigned wheels ranging from 14 to 17 inches in diameter. For the Reference line, these are 14-inch steel wheels with 175/70 tyres; for Style, there are 15-inch steel wheels with 185/60 tyres. The new Ibiza FR runs on 16-inch alloy wheels clad in 215/45 tyres.
SEAT offers sophisticated alloy wheel designs as options for all equipment versions – 15-inch for Reference, 16-inch for Style and, for the FR, even a 17-inch model. All tyres have been optimised for rolling resistance without compromising on comfort, safety and handling characteristics.
The new SEAT Ibiza is built for all global markets entirely at the state-of-the-art SEAT plant in Martorell near Barcelona. The new generation of the Ibiza will also be introduced in China in 2012.
SEAT’s combination of young, dynamic design-driven attributes with state-of-the-art technology, quality and precision – as epitomised by the Ibiza – will be well appreciated by discerning Chinese car-buyers.
In Europe, the extremely sporty Cupra will follow later this year – superior performance and thrilling dynamics are guaranteed.
Source: SEAT Media Center
