swales_p
28-01-2004, 20:26
I got this off the Top gear web site (www.topgear.com), its a review of the 16v and its so good i had to post it as a new post in the forum. It kinda brought a smile to my face when i read it, its spot on and makes me chuffed i bought the car! The authors name is on it to so please dont do me for plagerism!!:D
"The SEAT Ibiza Cupra Sport 2.0 16v is all about no-nonsense, in-your-face lairiness, and we're making no apologies for it. From its dayglo paint job (an option) through to its huge, white 16-inch wheels and even larger 'Cupra Cup Racing 2.0 16 Valves' stickers it issues this challenge to every other road user: ?Oi, mate, reckon you can 'ave me away from the lights, do ya? Come on then.?
Like the pushy little bloke who picks a fight with everyone at a nightclub, the Ibiza takes on allcomers and beats all but the real heavyweights. With the two-litre 16-valve engine from the bigger and heavier Golf GTI under the bonnet, it's not surprising either. The Ibiza packs a 150bhp punch and it'll hit 62mph in a claimed 8.3 seconds. Top speed is a depraved 134mph - not bad for a car originally designed for your mother to go to the shops in.
Because the power doesn't kick in until a skyscraping 5,000rpm you can't be gentle with it. In fact the engine is so peaky, it's as if the car is challenging you not to lift your foot from the throttle. This wouldn't be such a bad thing if it were mated to a decent gearbox, but the Ibiza's five-speeder is a bit of a fun spoiler. Gear selection is a haphazard affair thanks to the imprecise change, while the big jump between second and third makes it difficult to keep the car revving in its powerband.
When you do lob the car into a bend, as you'd expect from a sporty little number there's little body roll. The characteristic Ibiza inside-rear-wheel lift is resisted longer than in more run-of-the-mill models, and grip from the tyres is huge. Though the chassis is reasonably informative, it's not quite in the same league as the superb 306 GTI; but that's by no means a disgrace.
Good though the handling is, you will have to brake when you come to a corner. As well as ABS, the Ibiza adds traction control to its list of party tricks. Between the two of them, they should sort you out if you manage to get things badly wrong. Ride comfort is not a top priority in this Ibiza. It's hard, fidgety and uncompromising, but as you're not an old fart you probably don't care.
Inside, there's the full sports treatment, with well side-bolstered seats (Recaros are an option), black-on-white instruments and a trip computer. The driving position is excellent and the leather-clad steering wheel sets things off nicely.
Overall, that clonky gearbox aside, the Cupra is undoubtedly one of the best new hot hatches around, so why wait? Come and have a go - if you think you're young enough"
Zac Assemakis :cheers:
"The SEAT Ibiza Cupra Sport 2.0 16v is all about no-nonsense, in-your-face lairiness, and we're making no apologies for it. From its dayglo paint job (an option) through to its huge, white 16-inch wheels and even larger 'Cupra Cup Racing 2.0 16 Valves' stickers it issues this challenge to every other road user: ?Oi, mate, reckon you can 'ave me away from the lights, do ya? Come on then.?
Like the pushy little bloke who picks a fight with everyone at a nightclub, the Ibiza takes on allcomers and beats all but the real heavyweights. With the two-litre 16-valve engine from the bigger and heavier Golf GTI under the bonnet, it's not surprising either. The Ibiza packs a 150bhp punch and it'll hit 62mph in a claimed 8.3 seconds. Top speed is a depraved 134mph - not bad for a car originally designed for your mother to go to the shops in.
Because the power doesn't kick in until a skyscraping 5,000rpm you can't be gentle with it. In fact the engine is so peaky, it's as if the car is challenging you not to lift your foot from the throttle. This wouldn't be such a bad thing if it were mated to a decent gearbox, but the Ibiza's five-speeder is a bit of a fun spoiler. Gear selection is a haphazard affair thanks to the imprecise change, while the big jump between second and third makes it difficult to keep the car revving in its powerband.
When you do lob the car into a bend, as you'd expect from a sporty little number there's little body roll. The characteristic Ibiza inside-rear-wheel lift is resisted longer than in more run-of-the-mill models, and grip from the tyres is huge. Though the chassis is reasonably informative, it's not quite in the same league as the superb 306 GTI; but that's by no means a disgrace.
Good though the handling is, you will have to brake when you come to a corner. As well as ABS, the Ibiza adds traction control to its list of party tricks. Between the two of them, they should sort you out if you manage to get things badly wrong. Ride comfort is not a top priority in this Ibiza. It's hard, fidgety and uncompromising, but as you're not an old fart you probably don't care.
Inside, there's the full sports treatment, with well side-bolstered seats (Recaros are an option), black-on-white instruments and a trip computer. The driving position is excellent and the leather-clad steering wheel sets things off nicely.
Overall, that clonky gearbox aside, the Cupra is undoubtedly one of the best new hot hatches around, so why wait? Come and have a go - if you think you're young enough"
Zac Assemakis :cheers: