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2016 SEAT Ibiza Cupra Does 100 KM/H in 6.7s Thanks to 1.8L Turbo Engine with 192 HP

It's one thing to know what the new SEAT Ibiza Cupra will be like and another to actually see it. Today, the Spanish carmaker from Martorell has released full technical details that cover everything we wanted to know about the Polo GTI's twin brother. The biggest change is under the hood, as this pint-sized car now packs a 1.8-liter TSI turbocharged engine and is available with a manual gearbox.
SEAT Ibiza Cupra 24 photos
Photo: SEAT
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Pricing has also been announced in some markets. For instance, the Germans will take delivery of this hot hatchling in January 2016 and will have to pay anywhere from €23,060. That's considerably less than a €31,320 Leon Cupra.

The 1.8-liter engine is the same one you'll find on the Jetta sedan. However, the power output has been bumped up to 192 PS, 12 PS more compared to its predecessor. But the biggest advantage compared to the old 1.4 TSI is that there isn't a power gap between the supercharger at the low end and the turbo that kicks in when the revs start to build up. Torque is also up from previous 250 newton meters, there are now 320 Nm on call - across a broad rev range from 1,450 to 4,200 rpm.

Compared to the subcompacts made by Chevrolet or Kia, this is high-tech stuff. It features double injection (FSI and MPI), an integrated exhaust manifold, and an electronically controlled turbocharger.

The new engine enables the Ibiza Cupra to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds. The top speed has also been increased from 229 km/h (142 mph) to 235 km/h (146 mph), making it one of the fastest models in the segment.

Unfortunately, we can't say we're big fans of the styling package. SEATs used to be the most aggressively designed models of the VW family, but the Ibiza Cupra now looks tame, just like its Leon brother.

The front bumper looks almost the same as on a regular model, in sharp contrast to crazy models like the Ibiza Cupra Bocanegra that SEAT built until 2012.

Other interesting add-ons include a new XDS electronic differential that is supposed to make sure that going around corners is done a lot more efficiently and without drama. It applies the brakes to the inside wheel when cornering to force more of the power to the outer corner. Several changes also took place inside, with a new steering wheel, infotainment system and Android/Apple Auto support available.

“The new generation of the Ibiza CUPRA displays the strong character of the SEAT brand. With its unique design and its exceptional performance, the Ibiza CUPRA is the epitome of sheer driving fun,” says Luca de Meo, President of SEAT S.A. “SEAT is a brand in motion and the Ibiza CUPRA is one of SEAT’s icons. Innovative connectivity, a significantly upgraded interior and further improved quality are just a few key areas that demonstrate how fast and consistently our brand is moving.”

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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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