Seat Ibiza Cupra Concept Revealed in China with 180hp and Seven-Speed Gearbox

Seat took advantage of the Auto Salon China in Beijing to reveal the concept for the next generation Seat Ibiza Cupra with a 1.4 TSI engine with 180hp and 250Nm of torque and seven-speed DSG transmission, which Seat says is very close to production in terms of styling and power.

Seat calls the new Ibiza Cupra, “a sports car for every day.” The exterior is a slightly modified version of the current Ibiza. The LEDs around the bi-xenon headlights create a sharp, bowtie-look accentuated by a larger front air dam than the standard car. The rear has a large diffuser with a single large exhaust outlet. The tail lights are also LED lit. 

For the concept the side mirrors are black to contrast with the bright yellow paint, and Seat is hinting this will find its way to the production car as well. The concept also wears 17in wheels that will likely also find their way to the production version. 

The interior is by far the car's weakest point. While the exterior is sharp and stylish, the interior is dark and outdated. The seats are trimmed in yellow, but the entire dashboard is almost monochromatic black. There is some dark red stitching on the steering wheel but that is about it. The modular 5in navigation unit looks tacked on as well. It is really too bad that the interior is such a dank place when the outside is so bright and modern. 

Seat did not reveal when the new Ibiza Cupra would be on sale but more than likely it will be out towards the end of 2012 or for early 2013.