SEAT Ibiza Cupra – a legal high

THERE are cars that look the business, others that do the business – and a few that make you feel fantastic.

The SEAT Ibiza Cupra is one of that favoured latter category and it gives the driver that intense hit of a genuine legal high.

Simple but sensational it’s a car that punches far above its weight, whistling along like a hot supermini should and handling like the proverbial dream.

It’s actually two decades since the original Ibiza Cupra hit the streets and while that car was a scorcher, the latest generation model is superior in every way.

SEAT talks of this model in terms of ‘pure performance, pure driving fun’ and the Cupra certainly offers both in spades, with an added dollop of quality for good measure.

Of course the big numbers are all important with a vehicle like this and in the Ibiza’s case we’re talking 0-62 in 6.7 seconds, a 146mph top end and half decent 45mpg fuel return.

Much of it is down to a 1.8-litre TSI petrol engine that’s had its power boosted from the 180PS of its predecessor to a hefty 192PS.

Of more significance though is its amount of extra pulling power. So instead of the previous 250Nm there’s now a whopping 320Nm on tap, across a wide rev range – and you can really feel the difference too.

Along with suspension tuned for maximum agility it contributes to a car that’s precise, beautifully balanced and a joy to drive.

You also get Cupra Drive Profile, which allows a driver to adapt the steering and suspension for sport and comfort at the touch of a button while the Ibiza’s XDS electronic differential lock improves handling – especially through fast corners.

As for safety, systems like hill start assist, multi-collision brake, tyre pressure warning and tiredness recognition are all part of the package.

Adding to the Cupra’s feelgood factor is an interior upgrade that features soft-touch materials, sports seats in black fabric with light grey inserts and a new steering wheel from the SEAT Leon.

There’s ample space up front and plenty of stowage options like cupholders, glovebox, door bins, a couple of coin containers and flaps behind the front seats.

The front seat backs are also scooped out for better rear legroom and while you can just about squeeze three across the back, legroom isn’t fantastic.

A reasonably sized boot is accessed via the rear S badge and the back seats split and fold 60/40. The tailgate raises high as well, so you don’t bang your head.

And as the tested model was a Cupra Black model you also get 17-inch alloy wheels and red brake callipers.

Staying connected with the digital world goes without saying in most new cars and in the Ibiza Cupra gear like Media System Plus, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included.