Seat Ibiza ECOMOTIVE Sets World Fuel-Saving Record of 2.9lt/100km - 81.1MPG

We're always a bit wary of these fuel-saving records as the outcome always depends on a number of factors that include besides the car, the driver, condition of the roads, speed, traffic, weather etc., but whatev. According to VW Group's Spanish subsidiary, a Seat Ibiza ECOMOTIVE that's powered by an 80HP 1.4-liter diesel engine set a new record in its segment by covering a distance of 1,562 km or 971 miles on a single tank of fuel (45.53lt), resulting in an average consumption figure of 2.9 l/100 km or the U.S. equivalent of 81.1mpg.

Behind the steering wheel of the Ibiza ECOMOTIVE was Austrian long-haul specialist Gerhard Plattner who drove out of the Martorell facilities near Barcelona last Monday 27 April, after both the bonnet and the fuel tank filling mouth had been sealed. Plattner drove across Spain, France and Germany with the trip ending at the town of Göttingen, in lower Saxony, Germany.

Seat said that at some points along the way on motorways in Spain and France, Plattner brought the Ibiza up to cruising speeds of 110 km/h or 68mph- yes, that's not the kind of guy you'd like being behind in a one-lane country road.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

SEAT Pays Tribute to Ibiza with 25th Anniversary Edition

Still trying to find what's so special about this special edition Ibiza other than the '25th Anniversary' logo on the rear hatch? We don't blame you, we did the same and came up with nothing. Apparently, VW Group's subsidiary hasn't any money laying around for fancy-pansy anniversary models so the special edition Ibiza that pays tribute to the model-series' 25th birthday is no more "special" than any other example of the latest generation Spanish supermini.

Of course to justify the "25th Anniversary" logo, SEAT has enhanced the Ibiza's standard equipment with climate control, dark glass, 17 inch alloy rims, parking position door mirrors, passenger airbag disconnection and USB port + Bluetooth. For all this, SEAT asks for an additional €384.27 if you choose the 85HP 1.4-liter gasoline engine and €400 when you combine the package with the 105HP 1.9-lityer TDI diesel. The "special edition" model is available in both three-door (SC) and five-door body styles.

The Ibiza 25th Anniversary will make its premiere at next month's Barcelona Motor Show in Spain where SEAT will prepare an exhibit of the four generations of the Ibiza.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

New 1.6-liter Common Rail Diesel for Seat Ibiza

Beginning from June, the 2009 Seat Ibiza will be available in Europe for the first time with the VW Group's new 1.6-liter common rail turbo diesel engine that replaces the 90 horsepower 1.9-liter TDI unit. Mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, the 1.6 TDI CR produces an output of 90HP and 230Nm of peak torque at 1,500 – 2,500 rpm returning an average fuel consumption of 4.2 lt/100 km (56mpg US) with corresponding CO2 emissions of 109 g/km.

The new engine that will fit between the existing 80HP 1.4-liter TDI and the 105HP 1.9-liter TDI in the Ibiza's range will be available in both the 5-door and 3-door (SC) versions of the Spanish hatch.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

New SEAT Ibiza FR with 150HP 1.4 TSI: First Photos and Details

In SEAT's vocabulary, 'Cupra' is the equivalent of the Audi RS models while 'FR' is comparable to the German firm's 'S' badged cars. Now that we have got that out of the way, let's see what the VW Group's Spanish brand has in store for us. Set to make its world debut alongside the 2009 Leon CUPRA 240HP facelift at next month's Barcelona International Auto Show, the all-new Ibiza FR sits right under the Ibiza CUPRA model that was introduced at last year's Paris Motor Show.

It shares the same twin charged 1.4-liter TSI engine with the CUPRA, but detuned to develop an output of 150 instead of 180HP. The engine is hooked up to a six-speed manual gearbox or optionally, a seven-speed dual clutch DSG transmission with steering wheel shift paddles that features a sportier software than the one fitted on the 1.6 model of the Ibiza range. SEAT has not disclosed any performance figures but expect to see a 0 to 100km/h (62mph) sprint time of around 8,0 seconds.

Compared to the standard Ibiza SC (three door model), the Ibiza FR is distinguished by a new front bumper featuring honeycomb slats and a chrome surround on the central grille plus a diffuser-style rear apron. Other unique exterior elements on the FR are the silver colored door mirrors (yep, just like Audi's S models), the 17 inch rims and the twin tailpipes.

As for the sport hatch's interior, it comes with a modified instrument panel that carries the FR logo, a new steering wheel and sport seats with special upholstery.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Seat unveils Ibiza ST Concept Design Sketch

If only production models could look as cool as concept design sketches... That said, we're not expecting the forthcoming Ibiza ST (Sport Tourer) to be as dynamic as Seat wants us to believe with this official sketch that it issued today. So forget about those massive wheels and hard-chiseled sides and just keep in mind the shape of the roofline and raked rear window along with the Exeo ST-style tail lamps.

As it was announced in March, VW's Spanish subsidiary will add an estate version to the Ibiza's lineup in early 2010. More specific details of the new model will be revealed closer to its launch, but SEAT is confirming that the Ibiza ST will include a selection of engines not currently offered in the 3- and 5-door hatchback models..

Head of SEAT UK, Peter Wyhinny, said: "The addition of a great-looking, sporty and practical Ibiza ST to our fast-growing range is a very exciting development. It will, I'm sure, find significant appeal across a broad spectrum of UK drivers and I'm very much looking forward to its arrival in 2010."

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com