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Energetic Iberian car maker SEAT
is starting the year in bullish
mood as it looks to build on
another 12 months of solid sales
growth in 2007.
With a host of exciting new
models up its sleeve, as well as
important developments to the
existing line-up, SEAT is
kicking off 2008 with a raft of
changes to its most widely-owned
model – the sporty Ibiza
supermini.
Among the alterations to the
familiar three- and five-door
range is the arrival of the
all-new, ultra-economical
Ecomotive, which is already
causing a stir among buyers keen
to maximise their mpg while
minimising their carbon
footprint. At more than 74 mpg
on the combined cycle, and with
an official CO2
figure of just 99 g/km (even
with its standard-fit air
conditioning), the newcomer is
leading the way in the push for
greener motoring on a budget
thanks to a price tag of just
£10,995 RRP.
Another newcomer, fresh for
2008, is the high value
1.4-litre 100 PS Sport. A
permanent addition to the Ibiza
range, the new model features a
lively 100 PS 16-valve petrol
engine (the output is up from
the previous 85 PS 1.4-litre)
mated to a slick five-speed
manual gearbox. Dynamics live up
to the model’s name thanks to
specially stiffened and lowered
sports suspension that delivers
sprightly handling and a
composed ride.
Continuing unchanged is the 1.9
TDI Sport – featuring a punchy
yet economical 100 PS
turbodiesel engine (132 CO2
g/km, 55.4 mpg combined) – with
an equally untouched price tag
of £10,995 RRP.
The revised Ibiza model line-up
now begins with the high
specification Reference Sport –
available with either a
characterful 1.2-litre
three-cylinder petrol (139 CO2
g/km, 47.9 mpg combined) or
frugal 1.4-litre TDI
three-cylinder turbodiesel
powerplant (119 CO2 g/km, 61.4
mpg combined) and priced from
only £8,695 RRP.
At
the other end of the scale, the
range is now topped off by the
energetic FR with a 130 PS
1.9-litre TDI engine (139 CO2
g/km, 54.3 mpg combined)
offering a distinctly hot
sub-ten second 0-62 mph time,
129 mph top speed (where
permissible), a silky six-speed
manual gearbox and top-notch
levels of equipment – and all
for an eye-catching £13,350 RRP.
‘We’re sure these important
changes, together with the
addition of models like the
highly significant and advanced
Ecomotive, will keep Ibiza in
the supermini ‘premier league’
for the foreseeable future.’ |
