When the offspring are slowly fledging, a whole new pride awakens in parents, paired with completely new concerns. In the case of the new Seat Ibiza, the pride should lie above all with those responsible for Seat, the new concerns that arise, presumably with the SEAT parent company Volkswagen. With the fifth generation, the Ibiza has become something of a “grown-up”.
But in turn.
World premiere of the fifth generation SEAT IBIZA
Flügge becomes the fifth generation of the Ibiza, although the series has been on the market for 33 years, not because of immense growth, at least not in length, but because of a first-time technology leadership in the group. The new Ibiza is the first generation based on the new MQB kit in size A0. And Seat can present and manufacture the important building block Ibiza even before the class leader Polo on this platform.
Fortunately, the Iberians have practiced modesty in length. The Ibiza has only become bigger, where you can feel it, see it, but do not have to park. The length remains so, but the track grows on the front axle, for example, by 6 centimeters and the wheelbase even grows by 10 centimeters, although the outer length does not change. This intervenes quite massively in the design.
The overhangs are much shorter, the Ibiza is taut on the road, he embodies more of an athlete than a small car. This fits in with the progressively developed design language of the Spaniards. The very own daytime running light signature now finds the right quotes at the rear. Tight shoulders below the C-pillar and the characteristic design of the side window line, with the kink in front of the C-pillar, it makes the Ibiza appear modern, full of character and agile.
Agility is ensured by the modern platform as well as the strong gauge. Which are of course advance laurels, which the Ibiza must redeem in the first test drive.
On the other hand, the interior immediately gained noticeable. The 10 additional centimeters in the wheelbase memorize the occupants, especially in row two. Here, the lack is no longer home even when sitting in front of the big boys. The sense of space in both rows is reflected in the increased width of the Ibiza. Elbow-freedom forward for both and good space for three kids in row two. The trunk has grown as well and can scare even some competitors in the Golf class with 355 liter volume.
The most modern platform of the group naturally also plays a role when it comes to the drive and entertainment system of the Ibiza. Both architectures in the Volkswagen Group are based on a modular system, both the classic hardware for the drive and the technology that enables the occupants to enjoy the great world of entertainment and connectivity. And here you can feel the final attempts at cordoning off the Ibiza.
A visually attractive 8-inch multimedia system will be available to the generation of smartphones with Mirror-Link, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the smartphone can be charged inductively in the center console. When it comes to sound, Seat relies on its hip partner “Beats” in the Ibiza.
A modern architecture also provides the basis for a setup with the assistance systems, with which one does not have to hide. On the contrary. Even in Ibiza there will be full LED headlights, fatigue assistants, spacers for the cruise control and, and, and, and - and - everything that makes driving so beautifully practical and safe today.
In addition to the well-known engines, three-cylinder naturally aspirated engines, three-cylinder turbocharged engines are used and towards the end of the year, the new 1.5 four-cylinder turbo VW Group. This is paired in the small variants with a manual 5 gearbox, above with a manual six-speed gearbox and alternatively also the dual-clutch transmission with seven gears is offered.
Exciting alternative to elaborate hybrid techniques is the 1.0 TSI engine, which gets its 90 PS from the combustion of natural gas. Natural gas as an efficient alternative has advantages in terms of emissions. There are about 90 grams CO2 per kilometer. In the class of grown Ibiza quite an announcement.
However, an 3-door variant is dispensed with, which will probably no longer be launched due to lack of success. Certainly, however, sporting offshoots may be a la Cupra, a station wagon variant and what can not be missing: An SUV variant.
The market launch of the Ibiza is planned for summer (June), the prices are not yet known - but I expect € 13.150 to get started.
More information about Ibiza will be available as soon as it celebrates its official world premiere at the Autombil Salon in Geneva (beginning of March). That's how it is with growing up - for Seat, the new Ibiza should be a successful story above all, for the parent company Volkswagen, however, concerns could arise. In addition to the nerds from the Czech Republic, the daughter from Spain is finally really successful ...