 |
|
Seat Ibiza Gallery
|
|
| PERFORMANCE RATING: |
 |
The petrol version of the Cupra engine is a 1.8-litre 20VT pumping out 180bhp and 180lb-ft of torque at 1,950rpm, which enables 0-62mph in 7.3 secs and a top speed of 143mph. That's genuine hot-hatch performance. The petrol FR is also pretty quick, too: 150bhp, 162lb-ft, 0-62mph in 8.4secs and 134mph.
The Cupra's diesel engine is the most powerful in the class: the 160bhp 1.9TDI generates a huge 243lb-ft of torque at 1,900rpm and does 0-62mph in 7.8secs before hitting a top speed of 136mph. That makes for amazing flexibility, with acceleration on tap in virtually any gear and at any rpm.
The 130bhp TDI is also genuinely quick, a still-remarkable 229lb-ft of torque and terrific overtaking ability without the need for high revs. Its six-speed gearbox helps keep the engine in the optimum thrust-band, too, and gives very relaxed cruising. The 100bhp version is less of the same (and has only five gears).
The 100bhp 1.4 is smooth, revs to well beyond 7,000 rpm and feels peppier than figures suggest thanks to its eager throttle response, though the 75bhp version is more workaday; the 1.2 12v is adequate but hardly sparkling.
All these engines seem smoother and quieter than their nearest equivalents in the Polo, strangely.
|
