SCOOP: Seat Caught Testing Sportier Ibiza ST FR with 150HP

For being Volkswagen’s answer to Alfa Romeo (in theory at least), the Germans are sure taking their time to enhance Seat’s lineup with the most potent engines currently available in the group.

Take the Ibiza Sports Tourer (ST) for instance. In Germany, the small station wagon is offered with three petrol units: a 70HP 1.2-liter three-pot, an 85HP 1.4L and a 105HP 1.2-liter TSI, and three diesels: a 75HP 1.2 TDI, a 90HP 1.6 TDI and a 105HP 1.6 TDI.

But better late than never as Seat is preparing an FR version of the Ibiza ST fitted with the same 1.4-liter TSI turbocharged petrol engine with 150-horsepower found in the hatchback model.

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Seat to Launch in China in 2012, will be at the Shanghai Auto Show

As part of the VW Group’s strategy to expand its brands into new markets, the German automaker will bring Seat to the Shanghai Auto Show (April 21-28, 2011) offering Chinese buyers their first taste of the Spanish firm’s cars before sales begin with the Leon and Ibiza models in 2012. Read more »

Report: Seat to Launch Four New Models in 2012 including a Four-Door Sedan

VW's Spanish subsidiary is expecting a 10 percent rise in sales this year and aims further growth in 2012, when it will launch four new models. According to CEO James Muir, new products such as the Ibiza ST and the Alhambra will boost Seat sales in 2011.

"We want to increase our 340,000 unit sales from last year – by 8 to 10 percent – thanks to existing models. We aim to sell 45,000 units of the Ibiza ST (station wagon) this year. And the Alhambra already is well above plan so we expect a full-year volume of 20,000 units. This proves that our brand is gaining strength," Muir was quoted as saying by Autonews Europe.

For 2012, the company has even bigger plans, fueled by the launch of four new models. "We will launch four new cars: the new Leon, a totally new entry-level model, a four-door sedan and a major Ibiza facelift," said Muir, who was appointed head of Seat in 2009.

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VIDEO: Driver Tries and Fails Spectacularly to Park

For years the debate has raged over unintended acceleration. Is it the result of a design defect or is it simply driver error? Well, this video put forward for the case of the latter as one driver's attempt to park goes horribly, hilariously wrong. Watch the white car entering from the top right at approximately 6 seconds in. Everything seems normal up until 23 seconds, when suddenly...

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Geneva Show: SEAT IBE Concept for a 'Baby' Scirocco Coupe

[Updated with 'Live' Photos from Geneva] And by 'baby' Scirocco, we're not referring to the styling of Seat's Geneva-bound IBE concept car but to the size of the shooting-break-like coupe model that's only 3,780mm long or about 250mm shorter than an Ibiza and almost half a meter shorter than VW's coupe.

Talking about dimensions, Seat's sports study has an unusual breadth of 1,800mm and an overall height of only 1,220mm giving the IBE classic sports car proportions. The short front and rear overhangs, low bonnet and long roof-line along with the 19-inch alloys also help to accentuate the car's sporty looks.

There are no photos of the interior but Seat claims that the IBE is a 2+2 seater with plenty of space for a couple - meaning that the rear seats are for children at best.

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New Seat Ibiza Sport Tourer Unveiled Ahead of Geneva Motor Show

Meet the all-new Seat Ibiza Sport Tourer or ST for short that was unveiled today ahead of its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in the beginning of March. The third member of the Ibiza family after the five-door and three-door (SC) models, is a subcompact estate and it will go on sale in most parts of Europe by early summer.

As anticipated, the production version of last year's Frankfurt Show IBZ study has lost all those edgy styling elements such as the hidden rear door handles and the sharper tail lamps that made the concept look so special.

On the outside, up until the C-pillar, the Ibiza ST appears to be identical to the hatchback model while from there aft, the styling brings to mind the Audi A3 Sportback.

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SEAT Announces 62.7mpg UK Ibiza FR TDI Diesel Models

The Volkswagen Group's seemingly sporty Spanish car brand is starting 2010 in the UK with the launch of the Ibiza FR TDI that will be available in both three-door SC and five-door body styles with prices starting at £16,465 RRP.

Available to order now at SEAT dealerships across the UK with deliveries set to begin in March, the diesel-powered extension to the Ibiza FR range boasts a four-cylinder turbocharged diesel pumping out 143 horsepower.

Linked as standard to a six-speed manual gearbox, the TDI accelerates the SC three-door hatch from 0 to 62mph (100km/h) in 8.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 130mph or 209km/h. The 5-door model's equivalent values are 8.3 seconds and 129mph.

The Ibiza FR hatch, which by the way, is faster than let's say (...) the JDM Honda CR-Z by about 1.5 seconds in the 0-100km/h sprint, records a combined fuel economy in the EU cycle of 62.7mpg UK that translates to 4.5lt/100km and 52.2mpg US, with an official CO2 figure of 119 g/km.

Both bodystyles come equipped with climate control, ESP with SEAT's new XDS electronic 'virtual' limited slip differential and FR detailing inside and out.

Video: New Seat Ibiza Ad takes on Finger Wagging

With the tagline ‘There can be only one driver’, Seat is this week launching its latest cinema and TV advertising campaign for the new Ibiza Sport Coupe (SC). The commercial features Seat’s top racing drivers from across Europe, including former Seat Sport UK pilot and Fifth Gear presenter Jason Plato, fighting their way to get into the Ibiza SC only to be beaten to it by a snazzy woman who roars away in the car leaving them with their face down in the dirt. -Continued

There are two versions of the commercial, the most provocative and humorous being of course the advert destined for cinema where Swiss racer Christina Surer that participates in the German touring car series elegantly wags her middle finger to the boys as she puts the pedal to the metal. See both versions of the ad below.

SEAT AD 'There Can Only Be One Driver' - Special Version

SEAT AD 'There Can Only Be One Driver' - Normal Version

Matte Black Seat Ibiza SportCoupe by David Guetta

And who may David Guetta be? Well since you asked, he’s a famous French DJ who teamed up with SEAT to create a one-off special edition version of the new Ibiza SportCoupe that will be auctioned on eBay France with all proceeds being donated to the Reves organization for children with serious illnesses. -Continued

Sporting an awesome flat black paint job with matching 17-inch alloy wheels, the ‘Ibiza SC by David Guetta’ also gets an all-black leather interior trim while the tinted windows complete the stealthy black theme. Power comes from a 105 HP 1.9-liter TDI diesel engine. The auction will begin on ebay.fr on October 2 with the starting price set at €15,000.

Via: Motorpasion

New SEAT Ibiza Ecomotive with Low Emissions and Reduced Consumption

After the unveiling of the top-of-the-range Cupra model –see here, SEAT introduced its most frugal and eco-friendly version of the new Ibiza. Available in both 5-door and SportCoupe (3-door) forms, the Ibiza Ecomotive is equipped with VW Group’s 80 HP 1.4 TDI turbo diesel engine with a DPF particulate filter. According to the Spanish carmaker, the Ibiza Ecomotive features a reduced CO2 emissions figure of only 99 g/km while consumption is also low; however, SEAT hasn’t released any official figures yet. -Continued

Along with the updated engine software, the Ibiza Ecomotive also features revisions to the gearbox and the gear ratios, low resistant 175/70 R14 tires and improved aerodynamics through the new closed front grille and new rear spoiler that reduce resistance to movement and therefore decrease mechanical effort as well as fuel consumption and emissions.

Opening picture edited by Carscoop

SEAT Ibiza Cupra with 180 HP 1.4-liter TSI and 7-Speed DSG

Just a few months after it launched the new Ibiza, Spanish automaker SEAT is expanding its supermini’s range with the reveal of the sporty Cupra model that is equipped with the latest version of the VW Group’s 1.4-liter TSI engine. The new twin-turbo engine now delivers 180 HP and is mated to a seven speed DSG gearbox with steering wheel shift-paddles. SEAT say that while developing the same output as the 1.8-liter turbo in the previous generation Ibiza Cupra, the new engine delivers a noteworthy reduction in emission levels and fuel consumption thanks to its smaller cylinder capacity. -Continued

Compared to the other Ibiza SportCoupe (3door) versions, the new Cupra gets a relatively aggressive bodykit with new a front bumper that features a lip spoiler and air intake vents surrounding the central grille, 17-inch alloy wheels and a newly designed rear bumper with an integrated difusser and a centrally placed trapezoid tailpipe. Oddly enough, and although the Cupra is the top-of-the-range model in the Ibiza line-up, it does not get side skirts. Apparently SEAT will charge a few hundred Euros extra for them…

According to the VW’s Spanish subsidiary, the Cupra will come equipped with standard ESP, ABS, TCS + EBA, driver and passenger airbag, head airbag, Hill Hold Control, tire pressure loss warning light, twin chrome headlights, fog lamps with cornering function, “easy entry” system on the passenger seat, CUPRA suspension, CUPRA sports seats and aluminum pedals. The Ibiza Cupra will make its worldwide debut at the forthcoming Paris Auto Show in October.

New Seat Ibiza Sport Coupe in Lamborghini Orange

It’s not everyday that you see a mainstream manufacturer offering “unconventional” colours otherwise limited to exotic supercars to mass production models so it was a nice surprise to see that Seat has made available a Lamborghini orange for its new Seat Ibiza Sport Coupe. As most of you know, both Seat and Lamborghini are members of the VW Group. It should be noted that Seat is no stranger to “weird” colour offerings - remember the bright yellow and kiwi green that were available for the second generation Ibiza? -More images after the jump