Seat Reveals Facelifted Ibiza Hatchback Family in Barcelona

9 years, 6 months ago - 10 May 2015, Autoblog

Seat has revealed a new version of the Ibiza at the Barcelona Motor Show this week, and we'll forgive you for not caring too much. After all, we don't get any Seat products in North America altogether. But on a global scale, the Ibiza is a pivotal product not only for the Spanish brand but for its parent company Volkswagen.

After the Volkswagen brand itself, Audi and Skoda, Seat sells more vehicles than any other VW Group brand – more than Bentley, Lamborghini, Porsche or any of its commercial vehicles brands. And the Ibiza is Seat's most popular model, representing over 40 percent of the brand's sales worldwide and selling over 5 million units over the past 30 years.

The current Seat Ibiza was introduced in 2008 and underwent a facelift in 2011. That would make it due for replacement, but for now the company has given it another update to keep it fresh. The new Ibiza features subtly upgraded styling, but more importantly, a raft of new equipment. Of course as the latest product from the Volkswagen Group, it benefits from all the newest safety systems and upgraded infotainment technologies. The cabin space has been updated and there are new paint and wheel options.

Buyers will also be able to choose among an array of engines burning gasoline or diesel and with three or four cylinders. Options range from a 1.0-liter inline-three with 74 horsepower all the way up to a 1.4-liter turbo four with 148 hp, and that's before the new Cupra hot hatch comes along. The suspension and steering systems have been reworked as well. The new Ibiza will also be available, once again, in three body styles, including the core five-door hatch, Sport Tourer (ST) five-door wagon and Sport Coupe (SC) three-door hatch.