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NEW Ibiza FR to be launched.

Son

Full Member
Mar 18, 2003
485
0
Finland
rmk.hamk.fi
Damn, you beat me to it. ;) Here for the lazy:
SEAT presents the Ibiza FR - the sportiest and most powerful Ibiza


ibiza_750.jpg


Today SEAT unveiled the new Ibiza FR (Formula Racing) at Italy's Bologna Motor Show, which will be open to the public from 6 to 14 December. Equipped with a 150 hp (110 kW) 1.8 20VT engine, this new version is the sportiest, most powerful Ibiza model available.

Currently, SEAT's sportiest cars fall under the FR and Cupra categories. For their design, equipment level, chassis and most potent engines in the range, the FR versions are distinctly sporty, while the Cupra versions take sportiness and exclusivity a step further - these vehicles benefit from the experience accumulated in national and international racing, and are wholly developed and manufactured by SEAT Sport.

The arrival of the new Ibiza FR is an addition to the SEAT product range to include the FR concept, and the León Top Sport versions will soon also be named FR.

Visibly different

The new Ibiza FR transmits sportiness at a glance, thanks to its attractive, five double-spoke, satin finish titanium coloured 16 inch alloy wheels. This colour can also be found on the door mirrors, and the headlamp and taillight housing is painted in a smoky titanium colour. This detailing helps define the image of this version and set it apart from the rest of the range.
ibiza_int.jpg

The exclusively designed front bumper features honeycomb mesh over the air intake vents, while the rear bumper sports a chromed double exhaust. Another identifying element on this version includes the FR badge on the B-pillars.

The interior of the Ibiza FR also contains several sporty elements, such as the metallic finish on the instrument panel and central console, air nozzles, gear knob and glove compartment handle.

The steering wheel, gear knob and gearshift lever are wrapped in leather with grey stitching. The newly designed seats are upholstered in a novelty, metallic look fabric.

The fastest Ibiza

The attractive image of the Ibiza FR complements the excellent performance level of its 1.8 litre engine and twenty valve cylinder head. Delivering a 150 hp output, the Ibiza FR reaches a top speed of 216 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.4 seconds, placing this FR version at the top of the Ibiza range.

But its excellent performance levels do not imply an excess fuel consumption. In the extra urban cycle, the Ibiza FR only uses up 6.1 litres of petrol for every 100 kilometres.

To match its characteristics, the Ibiza FR features a new suspension system with stiffer coils. Developments carried out on the chassis by specialists at the SEAT Technical Centre in Martorell have also led to the modification of the diameter on the front anti-roll bar and a variation on the way the rear axle is anchored onto the chassis, resulting in sportier handling with less rocking.

ibiza_rear.jpg


FR, two letters that stand for success

With the arrival of the Ibiza FR, SEAT has extended its sportiest range, which now features FR on the Ibiza, the León Top Sport, and the exclusive León Cupra R. In 2004, SEAT will be adding yet another new model to this sporty range - the Ibiza Cupra.

The monthly increase in sales is proof of the popularity of SEAT's high performance products. The León Top Sport versions, which will soon also be named FR, account for approximately 25% of all units sold. These versions are equipped exclusively with the 180 hp 1.8 20VT and 150 hp 1.9 TDi engines.

All these figures demonstrate the success of SEAT's sportiest, most powerful versions - a high-performance range that now includes the new Ibiza FR.

Slam that on the 17"ers from the León Top Sport and it's perfect! :D

Edit: Why can't I post pics with the img tags!? :mad:
 

ibizacupra

Jack-RIP my little Friend
Jul 25, 2001
31,333
19
glos.uk
it still looks shite...:sick:

Boring..........Yawn..... New 150bhp motor.... less than MK3... Duh!
 

Tom B

Active Member
Apr 2, 2002
4,710
16
Northampton
I echo Bill on this one.

It looks like a 1.2. It has poverty spec interior, including a tape deck and manual air con. On the outside it still hasn't got colour coded mirrors or side strips, and the wheels look like cheap accessory wheels...tacky springs to mind.

The rear lights might grow on me and possibly onto my car though as they are in a dark surround, unlike my current ones which are red.

Bring on the Cupra, I say. My mum's wanting to replace her Ibiza Cupra soon and if she sees this FR she'll probably laugh all the way to BMW for a Mini Cooper S.
 
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ZBOYD

Looking up at the stars!
May 19, 2001
9,468
15
Cheshire
www.seatcupra.net
Press release and more pics now on Cupra.Net

http://www.seatcupra.net/reviews.php?descrip=04/12/03 Ibiza FR Launch

Yup seems to be a cut price Cupra, not a bad idea if the price is right, but something tells me we may not see these in the UK.

The Cupra is a big seller in the UK, and its the Cupra most people would want to go for, but we'll wait and see, interesting they've not announced the Cupra yet, they could be going for something more potent than first indicated, though i do think we'll see an oil burner hot hatch too.
 

Lloyd

Full Member
Oct 18, 2001
101
0
Cardiff
Visit site
I sure as hell cant see them shifting many of these! They're having a laugh at SEAT HQ. I mean how many more versions do they want to introduce. FR? Do me a favour! Cupra, Cupra R, basics!! Problem solved, everyone happy!

Why on earth would i want to part ex my 156bhp 4 a heavier 150bhp?
 

WeeJase

pert
Jun 2, 2001
8,595
0
not a fan of the mk4 tbh,and that just makes it look like a bad day at the bodyshop,those wheels look like a back street motorfactors knock off.silver mirrors,ok may grow on folk,but wtf have they put black rubbing strips on it?
very happy to be in the old skool tbh,20vt probs,and some shite designs on the mk4.badging up as a skoda will deffo be my next choice;)
 

Snoopy

Full Member
Apr 24, 2002
702
8
Durham, England.
all i can think is this is a cut down version of the cupra to go head to head with the likes of the pug 206 gti. were as the cupra would go head to head with the 206 gti180.

I read on a rival forum
"I got the bulletin on that car from SEAT 2day
my version says cupra in 2004 but no dates as yet.
what is interesting tho is my lastest copy of ETKA lists build dates for the 150TDI beeza as 12/03 and the 180BHP VT as 05/04
now im not sure if this is 4 the UK market or if it's even correct but it's interesting the things u can find when u know where 2 look"
 

ibizacupra

Jack-RIP my little Friend
Jul 25, 2001
31,333
19
glos.uk
Is it true Honda pressurised SEAT into dropping the 'R' reference off their cars?

Can they do that?
 

andyb

Admin -SCN Canada:)
Aug 29, 2001
4,377
6
Vancouver
www.andyblackmoredesign.com
Remember that in Europe, our Cupra is called an FR, so for most of Europe its not a new designation. There was a story in Auto Express this week, which i put on the R forum, it explains that the Cupra R designation will be dropped, and all future range toppers will be called Cupra, that will probably explain why the Ibiza Cupra R prototype that appeared at Geneva, became the Ibiza Cupra Prototype in Frankfurt in September (well, at least in press releases, the pics still showed the R, along with the website).

Some of this confusion is because of the different designations in UK to the rest of Europe.

For example

In Europe they have models like Signo,Stella, Sport, Top Sport, FR, Cupra R, Cupra4 for the Leon

In UK we have S, SE, SX, Cupra, Cupra R

etc etc

so, we will have to see if i) This comes to the UK ii) what it will be called and iii) Will the Cupra R prototype become the Cupra

Clear as mud, eh?
 

kealan

Irish Cupra
Jul 23, 2002
65
0
Galway, Ireland
www.kealan.com
What the heck is going on at SEAT? That car in no way compares to the MK3 Cupra never mind improving on it...

Looks dont do it for me, its heavier than the mk3, the alloys are a joke, lower power than the MK3 Cupra in fact not one thing about that car would get me to buy one.... Pedro hit the wine to heavy at lunch time I think...

As for the chrome mirrors on the S3's I like them.. but not the mirrors on the mk4 Ibiza.
 

muddyboots

Still hanging around
Oct 16, 2002
5,739
1
Notice how they only quote the "extra-urban" fuel economy figure ?
6.1 litres per 100km - roughly converts to 46mpg extra-urban.

My TDI gets a combined average of 53 mpg, and it's more powerful...:rotfl:

Have to agree the "FR" does look like a base model. Wonder what kind of price it'll go for.
 

ibizacupra

Jack-RIP my little Friend
Jul 25, 2001
31,333
19
glos.uk
OMG... going all Euro.... :sick:

First Marathon chocy bar turns into Snickers
Opal Fruits turn into Starburst

where will it all end :p :rolleyes:

Gallons turn into litres
lbs/ozs turn into grams and Kilo's



;)
 
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