SEAT’s new sparkle: Ibiza 5 Door

FROM certain angles, the family resemblance is undoubtable. It has the same dynamic cut of the Leon and Toledo, yet as you move around the new SEAT Ibiza 5 Door sharper angles and crystalline elements in the styling take you pleasantly by surprise.
  Lamborghini Murcielago designer Luc Donckerwolke, who has recently brought his inimitable sparkle to SEAT, has blessed new Ibiza with a really dynamic style, proving that having five doors needn’t compromise a sporty and dynamic flow.
  Ubiquitous Ibiza has always been SEAT’s bestseller. Many viewed the small hatchback as the ‘poor man’s Golf’. However, the progression of time has seen Volkswagen Automotive Group successfully inject better quality materials and finish into all the SEATS while keeping the Spanish flair and appeal distinctively SEAT.
  New Ibiza is the first car in the VAG to be based on its new supermini platform (ahead of VW Polo). The car has a longer wheelbase, wider track and thus a more spacious cabin, affording more legroom and elbowroom. Rear-seat passengers can stretch out more and the big boot, at 292 litres, makes the Ibiza one of the most capacious cars in its class. The interior has also been redesigned with a new dashboard and instrument panel. Audio controls on the steering wheel are standard and a newly designed radio includes an optional Bluetooth connection.
  There’s more to this car than meets the eye, particularly as far as its production goes. It costs less to manufacture, despite the quality being better. Environmentally, the car is much greener as it is almost fully recyclable, and CO2 emissions have been reduced considerably. It has been rated five stars from EuroNCAP and has any number of airbags and proactive safety features.
  Driving the car is easy and enjoyable. I reviewed both the 1.2 12v (70hp) and the 1.4 16v (85hp), both with manual five-speed transmission. I found the 1.2 to have plenty of get-up-and-go as I started my journey on the motorway. It pulled well at speed and was quiet and smooth. It’s quite a substantial car now and despite its size, the 1.2-litre engine suited it well. I didn’t think it would be a match for this bigger Ibiza, but I was wrong.
  Driving in the countryside, away from the dull and dreary motorway, the little car really comes into its own. SEAT has gone to great lengths to give Ibiza great handling abilities. Improvements to the suspension, steering and braking performance are evident as you drive along B roads and through winding country lanes.
  I enjoyed driving the SEAT around the countryside and towns most of all. There were plenty of stop-start scenarios thrown in, and the Ibiza never became a chore, even after three hours. The seating position was just right for me. I was comfortable and everything was within easy reach and easy to read.
  One of the coolest new features is the portable satnav pre-installation. Basically there is a port on top of the dashboard above the centre console. It looks just like an air vent. Yet, you can fit almost any portable satnav kit onto it. It plugs in via an adapter and charges while it’s plugged in. There are no messy wires and no suction marks on the windscreen.
  The basic 1.2 S has features such as: head-thorax airbags, six-speaker MP3-compatible radio/CD player, immobiliser, speed sensitive power steering, remote central locking, ABS. The S A/C model adds air conditioning. The 1.4 SE (which is predicted to be the most popular version) adds a trip computer, cruise control, electric windows, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, front fogs with cornering illumination, 15-inch alloy wheels, plus more.
  Options listed are endless and includes such creature comforts as a panoramic glass sunroof, climate control, bi-xenon headlights, ESP with EBA, hill control and tyre pressure monitoring, rear parking sensors, rain sensing wipers, side curtain airbags and heated front seats.

SEAT IBIZA 5 DOOR
1.2 12v S

 

Top speed: 101 mph

0-62 mph: 15 secs

Power: 70 Ps

Torque: 112 Nm

Urban Economy: 37 mpg

Extra urban: 58 mpg

Combined: 48 mpg

CO2 emissions: 139 g/km

Insurance group: 2

Price: £8,995

© Motopia™ 2008

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