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How much? £15,995
On sale in the UK: September 2009
Engine: 1390cc 16v 4-cylinder super- and turbocharged, 177bhp @ 6200rpm, 155lb ft @ 2000-4500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch semi-auto, front-wheel drive
Performance: 7.2sec 0-62mph, 140mph, 44mpg, 148g/km CO2
How heavy / made of? 1172kg/steel
How big (length/width/height in mm)? 4061/1693/1420
Need to know

CAR's rating

Rated 4 out of 54

Handling

Rated 4 out of 54

Performance

Rated 4 out of 54

Usability

Rated 4 out of 54

Feelgood factor

Rated 4 out of 54

Readers' rating

Rated 3 out of 53

Seat Ibiza Cupra (2009) CAR review

By Ben Barry

First Drives

30 June 2009 12:30

Ex-Lamborghini designer Luc Donckerwolke added some much-needed dynamism to the latest Seat Ibiza, and now the Cupra is here to give it the punch to match the promise served up by those aggressive creases and angular headlights. It’s also incredibly important because it shares its underpinnings with the forthcoming Polo GTI, yet beats it to market by half a year, maybe more.

What engine powers the Seat Ibiza Cupra? Is it a 2.0-litre turbo?

It’s just a 1.4-litre, but don’t get too despondent. Why? Because it's a 1.4TSI nestling under the Ibiza’s snout, so it's a supercharged and turbocharged firecracker that delivers 177bhp and 155lb ft. That’s good enough for a 7.2sec dash to 62mph and a credible 140mph top end while turning in 44mpg and emitting just 148g/km CO2 – performance that’s on a par with the Clio 200 in a package that’s far, far cleaner.

The Cupra also comes with a seven-speed DSG paddleshift gearbox as standard, a first in the hot hatch segment. When you consider that the Golf GTI has to stick with the six-speeder due to its small power advantage, yet weighs over 150kg extra, you suddenly realise what a potent package this is shaping up to be.

How does it drive?

So far we’ve only be able to try the Cupra on track, but first impressions are very good. The engine is smooth and linear, pulls from nothing and yet, despite its civilised manners, still feels punchy at either end of the rev range. The gearbox, too, expertly walks that tightrope between daily driving manners (yes, honestly, we did find time to pootle in between flat-out blasts) and satisfyingly fast, clean shifts when you’re really gunning it.

>> Click 'Next' below to read more of our Seat Ibiza Cupra first drive

   

Performance Car of the Year 2009 Seat Ibiza Cupra - time trial; Seat London Motor Show video; British International motor show. cars; london motor show; seat; Seat Ibiza London Motor Show video; british international motor show; london motor show; seat; seat ibiza; Seat Player
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Seat Ibiza Cupra (2009) CAR review

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daveandrews13

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daveandrews13 says

RE: Seat Ibiza Cupra (2009) CAR review

Yes but marketing plays a part in everything - the bonnet scoop on the now ex-Subaru WRC cars was fake and was only there to give the road cars some more visual aggression.  I prefer a little more subtlety as well but I wouldn't let it put me off.  Sounds like a hoot to drive.

30 June 2009 18:59

 

jacomoseven

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jacomoseven says

RE: Seat Ibiza Cupra (2009) CAR review

Both the facelifted Clio and this Cupra look embarassingly overdone to me - this bodykit with the fake corner vents at both ends is just too much. Presumably this is what the market demands, but it would be enough to dissuade me from buying one.

 

A shame because in other respects this seems a decent car.

30 June 2009 16:19

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