Seat offers revised Ibiza with cleaner engines, cabin upgrades

Seat will begin selling its revised Ibiza this autumn in the UK. Launched at the Barcelona motor show, the Ibiza is available with lower-emission engines and boasts of numerous upgrades to its cabin. The Ibiza, which will compete with the Ford Fiesta, will still be offered in three-door SC, five-door and estate ST forms. Seat gave its exterior some very subtle tweaks. Its headlights are different.

It now uses LED daytime running lights. Its alloy wheels are available with new designs and it comes with two new paint colors. The major differences lie under the bonnet. The Ibiza will be offered with several of the newest three-cylinder petrol engines from the VW Group. The 74bhp 1.0-litre motor – the entry-level engine – has been used in the Up, Mii and Citigo city cars.

But then, the Ibiza will be offered with this engine’s turbocharged variants (89bhp and 109bhp) – the first product from the VW Group to get these. Fans have been waiting for these motors for quite some time now. In 2012, the higher-powered version was seen in the Up GT. Details about the new Ibiza’s performance or efficiency have not been released yet.

The Ibiza will still be built on the PQ26 platform but its suspension settings have been modified to offer greater comfort after Seat received feedback from its customers about this issue. Adaptive dampers will be optional and can be used in comfort or sport mode.

The automaker also revised the steering, from previously using hydraulic power assistance to a speed-sensitive electrically assisted system. If the Seat DriveProfile (how these adaptive dampers are called) is fitted, the steering weight and response will make adjustments, depending on the mode chosen.

INTERIOR DESIGN

Numerous updates were made on the cabin.

Better materials were used. For instance, the dashboard uses soft-touch plastics. The revised infotainment system also now has a central touchscreen on all the variants, except for the entry-level S editions. The exterior shades may be brought into the cabin via several optional “colour packs.” Coloured highlights may also make it to the surfaces around the air vents as well as to insets in the steering wheel.

With this new infotainment set-up, the Ibiza is brought to the same level as the VW Polo and the newly launched Skoda Fabia. It also now comes with DAB radio. Buyers may add MirrorLink, which allows the user to control approved apps on the smartphone as well as through the car’s interface.

The Ibiza is the first car from the VW Group to have this service together with Apple Airplay and Android Auto. According to Seat, customers can confidently switch smartphone brands because they know that it will be compatible with their car.

POWERTRAIN

So far, we know that the output of the turbocharged 1.0 engines will be at 118lb ft and 148lb ft respectively, and that of the two motors, the more modest has a CO2 emissions rating of 94g/km. This is likely to be given the Ecomotive badge, marking the first time that the highly efficient sub-brand is seen on a petrol Ibiza.

The higher-powered 1.0 TSI with a manual transmission will have CO2 emissions of 99g/km. However, it will still be available with a DSG dual-clutch automatic. In addition, the Ibiza will be available with the 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder ‘ACT’ engine from the VW Group that utilizes cylinder-on-demand technology.

With 148bhp, it will be one of the most powerful motors in the revised range. Seat has said that it can offer almost 60mpg. The model also comes with a diesel lineup. It is offered with a 74bhp 1.4-litre three-cylinder unit that has CO2 emissions of 88g/km. It’s also available with either 89bhp or 104bhp.

PRESS RELEASE

NEW SEAT IBIZA – STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY

SEAT has chosen the Barcelona Motor Show to take the covers off of its New Ibiza. Making it one of the best and most multi-faceted offerings in its class, the latest version of the Spanish brand’s iconic model comes with a raft of innovative technologies, new engines and equipment options, plus additional safety systems and, above all, a completely new connectivity and infotainment line-up.

The Ibiza’s emotional and dynamic design continues to be well received by customers and is a central purchasing reason, so the team have focused their attention on new running gear which takes comfort to a whole new level, as well as upgrading the design and quality of the interior.

“The New Ibiza will further expand SEAT’s current success. It is the first example of how we ‘Leonize our Portfolio’, applying the successful formula of Leon into all our model range. Alongside efficiency, quality and safety, we have placed particular emphasis on the issue of connectivity. The new Ibiza is now part of the connected world,” says Jürgen Stackmann, President and CEO of SEAT S.A. “The Ibiza is SEAT’s most successful model, with more than five million sold globally over the last 30 years. With an average age of 43, the Ibiza has an exceptionally young customer base, with its share of young female buyers well above average.”

Connectivity is a central factor in today’s world – and a focal point when it comes to developing SEAT models. In the new Ibiza, the Spanish brand is using the second generation of its Easy Connect infotainment systems. The new MediaSystem plus and satellite navigation system can be enhanced with the MirrorLink function, which provides seamless smartphone integration into the car infotainment system. Thanks to MirrorLink, mobile phone functions and a wide range of apps can be used safely inside the car, while SEAT has also taken the opportunity to develop its own app for MirrorLink, called SEAT DriveApp. SEAT can connect the most frequently smartphone systems. The Full Link (comprising MirrorLink, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay) connection between Easy Connect means that New Ibiza drivers are always connected, whatever smartphone they use and able to retain their full concentration on the road. In line with this connectivity, SEAT has announced a partnership agreement with SAMSUNG to develop technological solutions to provide total connectivity across its model range.

“With the New Ibiza, we are opening up a new chapter of connectivity. Our customers can continue their digital lifestyle, even when on the road. However, the key issue for us is always the safest and most intuitive operation of the functions,” says Dr. Matthias Rabe, SEAT Vice President for Research and Development. “With its new engines, it’s considerably more comfortable. Thanks to its dynamic and agile suspension and new assistance systems, the Ibiza is one of the most modern and attractive offerings on the market.”

The exterior design of the Ibiza five-door, three-door SC (Sport Coupé) and the ST (Sport Tourer) are still absolutely up-to-the-minute and extremely well received by customers, so changes for the new model take in new headlights with LED daytime running lights, new 16- and 17-inch alloy wheel designs and two new paint colours, Moonstone Silver and Chilli Red.

Significantly upgraded interior
The concept behind the broad design appeal of the new interior is that it features fully customisable elements that resonate with everyone by striking a harmonious balance between expressivity, functionality and precision on each of the contours and surfaces that define the interior. Its horizontal proportions and the driver-oriented instrument panel provide enhanced driving pleasure, thanks to the arrangement of all the elements and its soft-touch finish. Attention to detail is displayed in every feature – on the steering wheel, the air vents, instrument cluster and radio. The new interface has been designed to highlight the relationship between the driver and technology by creating character lines that add functionality, while the screen design provides the driver with a physical reference.

The resulting interior design is a reflection of a product that has been inspired by and conceived in the surroundings of the beautiful city of Barcelona.

New level of individualisation
The New Ibiza is as diverse and colourful as life itself, with new Colour Packs offering a whole new level of individualisation, which can be adapted to suit any personal style perfectly. The Colour Packs make a bold statement. Bismuth, an elegant shade of brown, is among them, as is Velvet, a rich purple. There is also a powerful red on offer, cool grey, as well as white, black and blue – the right Colour Pack for every personal preference.

Each Colour Pack comes with a wide range of trim elements in the respective colour. On the outside, the rim of the radiator grille and the door mirror housings gleam in Velvet, Atom Grey or one of the other colours. Inside, the air vent bezels and the detailing on the steering wheel and gear lever are part of the colour package, as are the coloured stripes set into the seat backrests. One characteristic element is the two-colour 16- or 17 inch alloy wheels. There are a large number of possible combinations between the Ibiza’s paint colour and the Colour Pack.

And with three bodystyles, several trim levels and a wide range of engines and equipment options, there is the perfect Ibiza to suit every need.

New safety systems
Drowsiness at the wheel is still the cause of many and severe accidents. The new Tiredness Recognition System in the SEAT Ibiza recognises diminishing driver concentration on the basis of steering characteristics, and provides a timely warning. Another new safety system is Multi-Collision Brake. Following a serious impact, it automatically slows down the vehicle to dissipate the remaining kinetic energy. If the airbag is activated by the initial collision, the electronic stability programme applies the brakes and switches on the hazard lights.

Complete new engine generation

The SEAT Ibiza is driven by a completely new generation of petrol and TDI engines. The entry-level petrol engine is a three-cylinder with 1.0-litre displacement, which produces 75 PS in naturally aspirated format and 95 PS or 110 PS as Eco TSI turbocharged engines. With maximum torque of 160 or even 200 Nm, the 1.0 Eco TSI has impressive pulling power. A further highlight is the four cylinder 1.4 Eco TSI with active cylinder management (ACT). Its improved output of 150 PS and torque of 250 Nm guarantee a high level of dynamic driving fun, while its cylinder deactivation under partial load leads to impressive combined fuel consumption of 58.9 mpg.

Maximum efficiency
The three and four-cylinder units, of course, fulfil all the latest EU6 emissions standards and boast excellent fuel consumption and emissions figures. One example is the 1.0 Eco TSI Ecomotive with 95 PS which offers combined fuel economy of 68.9 mpg, which equates to a CO2 figure of 94 grams per kilometre. Among the new three-cylinder diesel engines, the 1.4 TDI with 75 PS achieves fuel consumption of 83.1 mpg, which equates to an emissions figure of just 88 grams per kilometre. Each of the other TDI powertrains, with 90 PS or 105 PS, achieve 74.3 mpg or more.

The TSI with 110 PS and the TDI with 90 PS are both available with the slick-shifting dual-clutch gearbox (DSG). The start/stop system, which switches off the engine when the vehicle is at a standstill, is available across all new-generation SEAT Ibizas.

Driving fun with more comfort

The New Ibiza has always received top marks for being dynamic and fun to drive. In its new generation, the Ibiza has been further refined with a speed sensitive electric steering system. Benefitting even more, however, is the ride and handling, with springs, dampers and anti-roll bars being completely re-tuned. The optional SEAT Drive Profile offers adaptive damping with two modes – comfort- or sports-oriented. The Comfort/Sport selector switch also influences the feeling of the power steering.

Latest-generation infotainment
The latest-generation infotainment systems with touchscreen operation and integrated satellite navigation system can receive DAB digital radio and play music from an iPod or smartphone via a USB port or Bluetooth device. Voice control is integrated as part of the MediaSystem plus and for smartphone integration Mirror Link can also be selected for perfect connectivity on the move. For a really rich sound, there is the new SEAT Sound System. Six speakers, a ten-litre bass box in the boot, an additional amplifier and individual setting options in the sound menu will satisfy even the most discerning of ears.

Four optional ultrasound sensors front and rear provide proximity monitoring when parking, and deliver warnings both acoustically and via the display. A reversing camera is also available as an option, aiding parking through infotainment screen updates.

Perfect for an active lifestyle
The New Ibiza will be offered in three bodystyles, five-door, SC and ST. The latter offering a particularly high degree of versatility in such a compact package. Even with its sporty looks, the luggage space is very generous, with a volume of 430 up to a maximum of 1,164 litres. For those with an active lifestyle, there is even space for two bicycles, with their front wheels removed.

In the UK, the entry-level ‘S’ version is an enticing prospect, featuring all major items of comfort and safety equipment. Sitting just above it is SE, with air conditioning and colour touch screen as standard. The sporty Ibiza FR makes a particular statement with its accentuated design at the front and rear and unique alloy wheels. More than ever before, the new Ibiza can also be perfectly adapted to personal style and individual preferences, with an extensive array of colours, options and accessories.