What is it?
For those of you scrutinising the above photos and concluding that we must have accidentally uploaded the wrong ones, I can assure you this isn't the case. The car you’re looking at is most definitely the new Seat Ibiza. However, aside from some brighter LED bulbs in the tail-lights and some equally luminescent daytime running lights, it doesn't look any different from the old one.
There are a couple of good reasons for this. Firstly, an entirely new Ibiza – new platform, new interior, the works – is due in just two years, so it would make little financial sense for Seat to invest heavily in designing and pressing new body panels. Secondly, and perhaps more pertinently, the Ibiza has always been among the most striking superminis to look at. And if it ain’t broke…
Plenty is new about the 2015 Ibiza, though. Inside you'll find a soft-touch face on the dashboard where previously there was a hard and unappealing grey slab of plastic, and the clunky old infotainment systems have been replaced with brand new and user-friendly touchscreens.
The engine line-up is all but entirely fresh, too. The Volkswagen Group’s 1.0-litre triple petrol joins the range in naturally aspirated 74bhp form and, as tested here, 94bhp turbo guise. A 109bhp DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox-equipped version is also available, and there are several new 1.4 diesels, the cleanest of which emits just 88g/km of CO2.
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MPG
Government fuel figures are mighty impressive
Not everyone want's a Fiesta
Exactly, the Fiesta might be a better drive when on the edge, but how many people drive it like that? Seeing Fiesta drivers everywhere, i can believe that a small number (boy racers) might, but the rest certainly don't. Not everyone wants a Fiesta (or Polo) and for those who want individuality, the changes will be welcomed. SEAT need to carry on these changes to the new model and avoid taking a step back in quality and refinement.
Predictable