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SEAT Ibiza 5 Coming in 2016, Will Be Based on MQB

After Skoda's barrage of new models, it's now SEAT's turn to come up with a completely revamped lineup of cars, starting with one of the smallest.
SEAT Ibiza Cupra 1 photo
Photo: SEAT
During an event to celebrate 30 years since the launch of the first Ibiza supermini, the company displayed sketches of the next generation, also confirming some of the design changes.

The supermini will have an X design in the front and rear fascias and a strong, straight line down the side, a bit like Audi's character "turbine" line.

"[…] the market demands it and it has to set itself apart from the Leon. The lines will change, but the spirit will stay the same,”
SEAT design boss Alejandro Mesonero told Autoexpress.

The first publication to break the story are the Brits at Auto Express. They say the Ibiza 5 will be based on a shortened version of the MQB platform that will eventually wind its way into the next Audi A1 and Volkswagen Polo. Of the three, the SEAT was the first to receive its mid-life facelift in early 2013, so it makes sense that it receives all-new underpinnings as well.

The MQB architecture will help the Ibiza shed a considerable amount of weight, thus being able to make due with more three-cylinder engines. If these rumors pan out, it really seems like Skoda is doing its supermini separately from the rest of Volkswagen Group, with the new Fabia coming out later this year and based on the older platform.

A debut date for the Ibiza 5 has not yet been announced. But considering the average life cycle of a supermini, 2016 is the likely year of its arrival. SEAT apparently wants to launch its first SUV before that. It will also be based on the MQB platform and could share development costs with the all-new Volkswagen Touareg.
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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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