SEAT has categorically said it won't be offering a hot Cupra version of its new Ibiza supermini - nor will it be offered as an estate or a three-door hatch. Indeed, it won’t get more powerful engines than the 1.5-litre TSI with 150hp.

During the international press launch of the vehicle in Barcelona, Antonio Valdivieso, Head of Product Communications at the brand, told journalists that the Spanish marque believes 150hp is enough for a car in the B segment and it does not need more punch.

Présentation SEAT Ibiza 2017
Présentation SEAT Ibiza 2017
Présentation SEAT Ibiza 2017

“We are not saying that there's no demand for niche sports models like the Ibiza Cupra, but the trend is going down,” Valdivieso told the media. “We are going to keep the Cupra for higher-end models, like the Leon.”

Instead of a high-performance Ibiza version, SEAT has an eco-friendly CNG model that will be launched by the end of the summer. It won’t be offered on all markets where the regular Ibiza is available, but mostly in countries where this kind of fuel is popular, like Italy, The Netherlands and Germany.

2017 SEAT Ibiza


SEAT has also confirmed the sexy hatch will receive Volkswagen Group’s fully digital instrument cluster in May or June next year, with the 2018 MY. Before that, it will be introduced for the Ateca crossover and Leon by the end of this year.

Read also:

Gallery: 2017 SEAT Ibiza