SEAT Ibiza TDi Range : DIESELS WITH DRAMA

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SEATs Promise of Real Latin Spirit In Its Latest Ibiza Supermini Is Rather Surprisingly Served Up By These TDi Models. Jonathan Crouch Reports

Ordinarily, SEATs Ibiza has a bit of a problem. Its called the Skoda Fabia, a VW Group in-house rival Supermini with a similar engine line-up, a bigger body and lower prices. When it comes to diesel power the story is much the same but the SEAT has an injection of Latin flair that might prove all-important.

SEATs Ibiza prides itself on a much younger, sportier attitude, not only compared to the Skoda but also in comparison with most other rival Superminis. The car of today carries the effects of a facelift which edged it closer to its newer SEAT stalemates on aesthetic grounds. Aggressive air-intakes are now evident, carved into the lower reaches of the front bumper. These evoke the ones on the SEAT Leon World Touring Car and emphasise the link that the brand is always keen to make between its production models and motorsport ventures.

Twin headlamps are also fitted as standard to all Ibizas, as are wheels of at least 15" in diameter, but its round the back where most alterations have been made. The more powerful engines in the line-up (those with more than 100PS) have extended exhaust pipes which are clearly visible below the rear valance. The bumper is reshaped to incorporate a mock diffuser, another nod to SEATs motorsport activities. As with all modern SEATs, the Ibiza displays its name centrally on its tailgate, below the large SEAT badge which doubles as the boot release.

As far as diesel side goes, theres a choice of 1.9-litre units, one with 100bhp, one with 130bhp and a 160bhp version found in the Cupra. SEAT also offer the 1.4-litre TDI, good for 80bhp.

Prices lie in the £10,395 to £15,595 bracket and (unlike the Fabia) theres a choice of either three or five-door bodystyles. There are five trim levels Reference Sport, Sport, FR and Cupra. All come well equipped with tinted glass, a body-coloured rear spoiler, a six-speaker CD stereo system, electric windows, a split-folding rear seat, electro-hydraulic power steering, a pollen filter and twin front airbags and ABS.

"The TDi 160 Ibiza is the most powerful diesel supermini you can buy and feels it"

Unfortunately, three-door customers will have to pay extra if they want the really useful Access-Plus front passenger seat. Here, as the front seat is tilted, the seat cushion lifts and moves forward as the backrest folds, creating a 31cm gap from the B pillar to the back of the front seat through which rear passengers can pass. When the front seat is pulled back, everything returns to its original position. SEAT described the TDi 100bhp diesel as a true technological jewel, this a reference to its advanced electronically controlled pump injector system.

We wouldnt go quite that far. For a start, its a diesel thats noisier than normal, a legacy perhaps of the fact that VW Group engineers have still to embrace the common rail technology now featured by virtually everyone else. Still, you cant deny that their alternative chosen route is effective when it comes to performance. Top speed is 118mph and it takes 10.

8s to reach 62mph from a standstill. Far more important than that is the impressive 240Nm of torque thats on offer between 1,800 and 2,400rpm the increment we all use for most overtaking manoeuvres. In most cases, you dont even have to drop down a gear to get past that swaying artic. By the same token, around town, cog-swapping is kept to a minimum.

As for fuel consumption, well expect to record 44mpg on the urban cycle, 69mpg on extra urban driving and 56.5mpg as a combined figure. All statistics you wont want to sneeze at: no wonder diesels are proving so popular right at present. Mind you, given that you can almost equal these yet go an awful lot faster at the wheel of the TDI 130 variant, its easy to see that this Ibizas appeal will be great, even at prices of £13,120 in FR guise. The top speed is 129mph and rest to 62mph takes 9.4s, but here again, the bald statistics tell less than half the story.

A higher compression ratio, increased fuel flow and a variable geometry turbocharger all produce great wedges of torque throughout the rev range. Torque is an exceptional 310Nm, developed at a mere 1,900rpm. The 160bhp Cupra model is the most powerful diesel supermini you can buy. And it feels it.

0-60mph takes 7.4s but an average fuel consumption of 55mpg is still possible. The 1.4-litre engine shouldnt be overlooked, offering low 124g/km emissions and a combined fuel consumption figure of 61.

4mpg. The TDi variants are without doubt the ones to go for in this rejuvenated Ibiza line-up, but stretch to the 130bhp version if you can or petition SEAT to offer it at more affordable trim level prices. A dash of salsa in a sensible package? You might just think so.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CAR: SEAT Ibiza TDi range
PRICES: £10,395 - £15,595 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 5-10
CO2 EMISSIONS: 124-146g/km
PERFORMANCE: [TDI 130] 0-60mph 9.4s/ Max Speed 129mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [TDI 130] (urban) 42mpg / (extra urban) 67mpg / (combined) 55.4mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 3953/1698/1441mm