Ibiza FR Sport 115, a step backwards

Has anyone else felt like this?


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    11
Apr 28, 2019
6
1
Hi, new poster to the forum, read here before...dn't want to complain, but...

I picked up my new FR yesterday, I'd had 2 1.2 FR's before, 5 door then a 3 door, both were awesome to drive, you put your foot down and there's direct feedback from the engine and you felt it. Not just that, but the 1.2's were the right size for me, seat all the way down so I don't hit my head on the roof and the steering wheel all the way down and I could see the entire instrument panel.

This new one, I'm not sure about, yeah, you can put your foot down and it will go, but everything just feels soft as ****. It feels like it's going to stall all the time, the panel says to go into higher gears and I just feel like there's no point.

I've found it difficult to find a decent position, it's much much taller, the steering wheel doesn't come down enough when the seat is all the way down and to be able to see all the instruments, I feel like I'm reaching up all the time, I can't see that being workable on a long drive.

Also, and this is a weird one, but it seems actually harder to stay under the road speed limits. Which in one way is good because it can get up to speed quicker, but then, I don't know.

I just feel that SEAT have ruined the FR brand, I really cannot see them sticking one of these in a rally and getting anywhere, TBH.

They've culled the Cupra already, even though every time I asked about Cupra, was told they weren't being made and then after a year of having the FR, I'd see them about.
 
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camelspyyder

2 SEAT-er
Jun 26, 2014
1,305
175
Agree about the engine. Had the 1.2 TSI before and it was a brilliant drive. The 1.0 is feeble in comparison and much harder to drive smoothly (DSG excepted). Not to mention the 1.2 was silky-smooth and quiet with none of that thrashy 3 cylinder racket at low revs.

1.0 is actually faster on paper 0-60 but in the real world. any time you need some torque, the 1.2 would be long gone whilst the 1.0 driver picked the correct gear.

So I was disappointed with it from new, and though 18 months later I have got used to driving it, I still feel "Meh" about it, whereas the 1.2 could be exciting every day.
 
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Apr 28, 2019
6
1
Agree about the engine. Had the 1.2 TSI before and it was a brilliant drive. The 1.0 is feeble in comparison and much harder to drive smoothly (DSG excepted). Not too mention the 1.2 was smooth and quiet with none of that thrashy 3 cylinder racket at low revs.

1.0 is actually faster on paper 0-60 but in the real world. any time you need some torque, the 1.2 would be long gone whilst the 1.0 driver picked the correct gear.

So I was disappointed with it from new, and though 18 months later I have got used to driving it, I still feel "Meh" about it, whereas the 1.2 could be exciting every day.

I'm sooo glad I'm not the only one. I really wish I tested it beforehand, but the sales guy said it would be a bit faster than the 1.2. I won't be keeping it for the whole PCP term.
 

vc-10

Active Member
Mar 29, 2016
330
112
I've gone from the 1.2 90PS in my Fabia to the 1.0 115PS. The 1.2 definitely has more instant torque available. I'm getting used to having to keep more revs if I want some 'go', but I'm happy with it.
 

José Silva

Active Member
Nov 24, 2018
207
41
Portugal
Care to elaborate? That engine is in a bazillion other VAG cars currently being sold.
.I can tell you that I have friends that work in VW building the T-rok and they are parking all 1.5 because of engine problems.
Specifically, what kind of engine problems I do not know but I can ask.
 
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Jaco2k

AWD FTW
Mar 11, 2018
1,037
633
Tampere, Finland
www.youtube.com
That's a bit of FUD you are spreading there - yes, some people report this "hesitation" issue (it is always the same issue reported across all brands from the group) but not everyone has it (for sure it is not present in my wife's car that we both drive often).
Even after I have read about it, I still cannot reproduce.
There are talks of a recall in the works and adding a modified part that supposedly fixes it, but so far it is only rumour land.
With the amount of cars out there with this engine, if there was a real issue I am pretty sure it would be splattered allover by now.
 

José Silva

Active Member
Nov 24, 2018
207
41
Portugal
I´m just saying that vw group has a problem with some 1.5 engines, that they will resolve of course,but in the meantime they will reduce the offer until the problem is completely solved, as it was with the question of the rear belt lockers in some cars of the group, I had my ibiza in the Seat park almost 2 months waiting for a solution.
 

Barrington2k

Active Member
Jan 26, 2019
59
13
I moved from an Ibiza connect 1.2 90psi to an Ibiza fr sport 1.0 115

At some points you deffo do need more revs, however in most situations you don't and you certainly feel the extra tourqe and hp.

Example, in the 1.2 I could easily take junctions in 2nd at very low speed and revs no issues
Where as in the 1.0 the car wants to stall doing the same, it requires more revs and more clutch

But in every other situation I feel the 1.0 completely out does the 1.2
 

José Silva

Active Member
Nov 24, 2018
207
41
Portugal
What I notice is that the car when we press the accelerator to start up quickly being stopped it takes about 1 second to respond only after this second is that we feel the impact of the power.
I do not know if it will be possible to improve this performance by putting a k&n filter I put it in my other car and it improved the starter got faster, I will try the same in ibiza and then give a feedback.
 

camelspyyder

2 SEAT-er
Jun 26, 2014
1,305
175
I moved from an Ibiza connect 1.2 90psi to an Ibiza fr sport 1.0 115

At some points you deffo do need more revs, however in most situations you don't and you certainly feel the extra tourqe and hp.

Example, in the 1.2 I could easily take junctions in 2nd at very low speed and revs no issues
Where as in the 1.0 the car wants to stall doing the same, it requires more revs and more clutch

But in every other situation I feel the 1.0 completely out does the 1.2

Well it really should do with 25 hp more than your old car...

but @Lucretia is comparing the 105 / 110hp 1.2 to the new 3 cylinder. I think the difference in book 0-60 is about 0.2 seconds in favour of the 1.0, but the wide torque band of the 1.2 negates that in any daily driving that doesn't involve the redline...

not to mention the fact that the stock 1.2 has often been dyno'd at 116hp or more, well in excess of its official power.

Still, now I'm on a pension - I guess I'm stuck with the 1.0 for 10 or 20 years so it better be more durable than the 1.2 at least... :)
 

Misho

Active Member
Mar 21, 2019
34
2
The 1.5 engine has problems that's way vw has stopped selling it.
Hello from Slovakia here. Nope .. This is just not the true what you have written. Do not spread rumors!

The real true is, that low class cars, like Škoda Fabia, VW Polo, etc... had poor sales.

The Ibiza was top Seller with 1.5 Engine for that price. That´s the real reason, why we don´t have 1.5 Engine in Ibiza anymore... I have this info from the 1st hand :).

I have no problem with my 1.5 Engine yet. 30000km now.

btw: CAn anyone explain me, what is the "Real" problem with that engine? If i understood it correctly, the problem is, "jumping" car in 1st gear with COLD engine? Are you serious... Every video i have seen was with cold engine...
 
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Jeeru

Active Member
Dec 9, 2018
3
0
Hello from Slovakia here. Nope .. This is just not the true what you have written. Do not spread rumors!

The real true is, that low class cars, like Škoda Fabia, VW Polo, etc... had poor sales.

The Ibiza was top Seller with 1.5 Engine for that price. That´s the real reason, why we don´t have 1.5 Engine in Ibiza anymore... I have this info from the 1st hand :).

I have no problem with my 1.5 Engine yet. 30000km now.

btw: CAn anyone explain me, what is the "Real" problem with that engine? If i understood it correctly, the problem is, "jumping" car in 1st gear with COLD engine? Are you serious... Every video i have seen was with cold engine...

Apologies if I've misunderstood-But if the Ibiza 1.5 was a top seller, why would they stop this? Surely its a reason to keep producing them?
 

Misho

Active Member
Mar 21, 2019
34
2
To be more specific ... Ibiza with a 1.5 liter engine was selling very well. Conversely, other cars from VW, Skoda with 1.0l engines were not selling as good as Ibiza at 1.5 of course, because they are avail. only in 1.0 (3 cyl) .. Right?

Of course, the 1.5 EVO engine is still available in other models, such as Karoq, Arona, LEON, etc ... That means the engine can't be malfunctioning ...

Yep, all the brands like Seat, Skoda, VW are from the VAG concern. But let's be honest. Production is one thing, and sales are second. Everyone fights on their sandbox...

It must be clear to everyone what this is about. Clearly? Do you want 1.5?... buy a more expensive model ... The engine is still identical to what is in Ibiza FR before it is withdrawn from the offer.
 
Apr 28, 2019
6
1
I moved from an Ibiza connect 1.2 90psi to an Ibiza fr sport 1.0 115

At some points you deffo do need more revs, however in most situations you don't and you certainly feel the extra tourqe and hp.

Example, in the 1.2 I could easily take junctions in 2nd at very low speed and revs no issues
Where as in the 1.0 the car wants to stall doing the same, it requires more revs and more clutch

But in every other situation I feel the 1.0 completely out does the 1.2

Yup, tried turning into the street last night, 1.2 in 2nd no problem, this one stalled.

Another thing about the 1.2, is that you could be in 2nd, take your foot off the accelerator when going quite slowly and the car would automaically accelerate for you, you could brake and it would fight trying to accelerate, but not stall. I can't see this car doing this at all.
 

SilverPilgrim

Active Member
Apr 3, 2019
57
24
UK
I really like the interior layout, infotainment and ride of the latest Ibiza but I feel far less feedback from the steering and pedals of the new one compared with the previous generation.

I drive the 95PS 1.0 TSI version quite regularly and struggle with the gear changes every time I get in it - can barely feel anything through the clutch. Brakes are also VERY violent with barely any travel time between 0-100% engagement.

I owned a previous generation FR with the 1.4 ACT engine and I feel it was far more deserving of the FR badge in terms of performance and driving characteristics.

Now that they've axed the 1.5 TSI from the Ibiza, FR is basically just a trim level which is a shame.
 
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