Seat Ibiza Cupra Concept: VW Group’s Euro-Market Alfa Fighter [Beijing Auto Show]

The Spanish brand Seat has historically been the weakest of the Volkswagen Group's portfolio. For decades, the manufacturer license-built Fiat products; VW bought Seat in the 1980s to be an entry-level brand, but Ferdinand Piech's wish to transform it into an Alfa Romeo fighter never fully materialized. Yet. Seat is honing its sporty credentials, and using the Chinese market to reinvent itself. Making its debut at the Beijing auto show, the subcompact, Polo-based Ibiza gets a top-of-the-line version powered by VW's super- and turbocharged 1.4-liter, making 180 hp. There's only one transmission on offer: a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The series production model will look nearly identical to the concept and will launch later in 2012. Comparison Test: Cobalt SS v WRX, and 5 More Sport Compacts First Drive: 2012 Volkswagen Golf R U.S.-Spec Comparison Test: 2012 Ford Focus SE vs. 2012 Honda Civic EX Seat has offered an Ibiza Cupra and a Leon Cupra in the past, but this one is styled more aggressively than ever. This aggression is evidenced by the V-shaped LED strips in the headlights and redesigned taillights, as well as the "crono yellow" exterior. China will receive a particularly sporty selection of Seat cars. This will include the Golf-sized, next-generation Leon, which will be launched as a five-door and—for the first time—a three-door. The three-door will distinguish itself from the competition with its futuristic LED headlights—no other car in its segment offers such an option. from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com

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