Posted on: Apr 22, 2012 | 2,068 reads

Facelifted Seat Ibiza Cupra Concept Makes its First Appearance

Think of it as the VW Polo GTI with a bit more salsa.

Seat is that other Volkswagen Group brand that many often overlook. It was originally bought by the German automaker giant with the goal of turning it into an Alfa Romeo competitor. While that has yet (or will ever) to materialize, Seat has still built some of the most stylish cars on the road. Their German engineering earns them high praise as well, but it's also their sleek lines that provide them with the most attention. If you recall, earlier this year the brand's Ibiza lineup received a facelift.

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Sharing much of its mechanicals with the VW Polo, the Ibiza is sold as a three or five-door hatchback as well as a five-door wagon. In addition, buyers can also opt for the high-performance version, called the Cupra. And now official pictures and details of the new Cupra in concept form have been revealed ahead of the the Beijing Motor Show, starting tomorrow. Like the outgoing model, it retains the turbocharged and supercahrged 1.4-liter TSI engine with 180hp. Mated to a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox, it can go from 0 to 62mph in 7.5 seconds with a top speed around the 140 mph mark.

Facelifted Seat Ibiza Cupra Concept Makes its First Appearance

Seat points out that there is an XDS electronic differential lock, high-performance brakes and an optional nav/entertainment system. From what we can see, the front-end has received the most exterior attention, with restyled headlights and new LED daytime running lights. Out back and you'll see the updated taillights.

Once again, the interior has a clean, minimalistic design. Drivers are treated to a sports steering wheel with the Cupra logo and shift paddles for the DSG transmission. There are also leather sport seats with lateral flashes of yellow matching the car's exterior paint. Our opinion: we'd take it over a Polo.