Seat Ibiza Cupra, Bocanegra and FR launch

Seat Ibizas past and present - plus a rally version

We’re out in Barcelona test-driving the new Seat Ibiza hot hatches: the FR, Cupra and Bocanegra.

The FR sits at the bottom of the line with a 1.4-litre turbo and supercharged engine developing 150bhp while both the Cupra and Bocanegra boast 180bhp from the tuned version of the same power plant.

Seat only built the Bocanegra after the positive feedback when it appeared as a concept at last year’s Geneva Motor Show. It’s basically a Seat Cupra with a Bocanegra, which is Spanish for black nose.

First impressions are that Seat has built a couple of cracking hot hatches in the shape of the Cupra and Bocanegra while the FR is a more than capable ‘warm’ model.

All three cars are brimming with technology you’re not used to seeing around the £15,000 mark including a seven-speed DSG semi-automatic gearbox.

At the hotel we’re staying at Seat are displaying its hot Ibizas from over the years – I’m actually a fan of the white 1996 model which appears to have aged into quite a cool looking model.

Visit Auto Trader tomorrow to read our road-test of the Cupra and Bocanegra to see how it stands against the market-leading Renault Clio Renaultsport.

Find more about Seat Cars

Adrian Hearn

Seat Ibiza Bocanegra