The fantastic new Ibiza Cupra and dramatic Cupra Bocanegra have earned themselves rave reviews from motoring and national press titles including Autocar, CAR, Auto Express, The Sun and the Mail on Sunday.
Autocar borrowed our Lumina Orange Ibiza Cupra for a thorough road test in October. “It makes a persuasive argument for itself”, says the reviewer. “The hi-tech engine, low running costs, decent cabin and standard DSG ’box will appeal to many buyers… It’s a practical, good-value supermini that satisfies many hot hatch requirements. Style and speed are there in abundance.
“The high-revving 178bhp 1.4 TSI engine is the most successful and enjoyable aspect of this new Cupra,” says Autocar. “Our acceleration figures show that a 0-60mph time of 7.0sec is entirely achievable even with two occupants, but outright speed isn’t its greatest achievement. The 1.4 TSI’s real success is in its usability – it’s an impressively flexible engine that ensures the Ibiza Cupra always feels quick.”
“There’s no doubting the Ibiza Cupra’s showroom appeal – the combination of sporty looks and that technical specification is hard to beat for the price,” says Business Car Manager. “It’s a very fast, grippy and capable hot hatch that is great value and economical too.”
Our orange Cupra was also shortlisted for CAR’s performance car of the year, where it put up a strong fight against the Renault Twingo 133 Cup, Fiat 500 Abarth SS and the Renault Clio 200 Cup, the eventual supermini category winner.
“If you want to go quickly easily, then you need SEAT’s new Ibiza Cupra,” says Ben Pulman. “The Ibiza would undoubtedly be the easiest of our four to live with day-to-day; there’s a big boot and build quality the rest of the VW Group would be proud of.
“The Spanish company has cherry-picked from the VW Group parts bin to create the Cupra, combining the torquey, twin-charger 178bhp engine that belies its size, a trick XDS electronic diff and seven-speed DSG. All the bits combine to provide a big-car feel, with a benign, composed chassis and easily accessible power.”
In The Sun, Ken Gibson asks “Can the Bocanegra’s 1.4-litre engine really deliver?”
“Normally the answer would be no, but as the engine is the same turbo-charged one that’s fitted to Volkswagen Scirocco it’s actually a definite yes,” he says. “Especially as you also get the ultra-quick seven-speed DSG transmission with paddle-shift changers to help you hit 0-62mph in 7.2 seconds and a top speed of 140mph.
“It’s not cheap at £16,695, but it is cheaper than a Mini Cooper and it is faster, looks better and it will be more exclusive.”
Auto Express has also fallen for the “sizzling” Ibiza Cupra Bocanegra, giving it a fantastic four stars out of five.
“SEAT has always been renowned for its spicy hot hatches and the latest incarnation of the Ibiza hasn’t broken the trend,” says reviewer Jack Carfrae. “Fire up the Volkswagen-sourced 1.4-litre TSI unit and you’re met with a brilliant sporty growl from the exhaust that intensifies as the revs rise. The seven speed DSG semi-automatic gearbox adds to the aural drama too, as it automatically blips the throttle when changing down, which makes for a smooth changes and a sudden woofle from the rear pipes.
“The Bocanegra is lively, great to drive and well built – but crucially, it won’t break the bank.”
Celebrity chef and car enthusiast James Martin is also impressed by the Cupra’s stunning performance. “The engine really is a winner,” he writes in the Mail on Sunday. “The supercharger gives you extra torque at low revs, the turbocharger does the same at high revs and they both work together in the middle (2,400-3,500rpm), so all through the range you get an instant response from the engine – which, by the way, makes a brilliant noise.
“While SEAT’s build quality has always been great, its cars were traditionally unexciting, but this has glossy black details on the dash, aluminium pedals, cross-stitched sports seats and a leather steering wheel – cushy stuff,” he says.
And it’s not just the media darlings that have fallen for the new Cupra. A loyal SEAT lover tested the Cupra Bocanegra and posted a glowing review on SEATCupra.net. “The little 1.4-litre TSI punches far above its weight… it feels both secure and strong under hard acceleration, and it had no difficulty in overtaking,” says the reviewer. “It performs like a much bigger engine; a genuine yet subtle supercharger whine can be heard which soon develops into that familiar turbo whistle.
“Out on the road it performs with a grown-up demeanour; it’s sturdy, sure-footed and comfortable, yet much more powerful and quicker than a normal small-capacity engine.”
