The monthly magazine “De Kampioen”, edited by the ANWB for its members, was responsible for testing a total of six models launched this year in the Dutch market – the new Ibiza, the new Ford Fiesta, the Alfa Romeo Mito, the Mazda 2, the Dacia Sandero and the Chevrolet Aveo. The SEAT unit tested by “De Kampioen” was the five-door 85 hp 1.4 Ibiza Stylance. Jury members, including ANWB editors, made special mention of the new Ibiza’s versatility, underlining that “with its performance and bootspace capacity, it’s more than ever a family car. The Ibiza is one step ahead of its rivals, and the difference can also be seen in the interior, where passenger compartment comfort is second to none.” It is obvious that the Ibiza is a trend setter in terms of design, production quality and its long list of standard equipment, featuring elements such as ABS, ESP and TCS + EBA, driver and front passenger airbag, head airbag, hill hold control and low tyre pressure warning. These aspects were highly rated by the jury before choosing the company’s new car as “Compact car of the year” in the Netherlands. The new SEAT Ibiza is currently available with two body styles – the five-door and the SportCoupé, and six engine choices - three Diesel and three petrol, mated for the first time in this segment to a seven-speed DSG gearbox with steering wheel shift paddles, which puts it in an enviable position compared to its competitors. At the recent Paris Motor Show, SEAT unveiled the Ibiza CUPRA, which features a twin charger 180 hp 1.4 TSI engine and seven-speed DSG gearbox with steering wheel mounted shift paddles, and the ECOMOTIVE version, the most ecological car of its segment owing to its CO2 emission figure of only 98 g/km. These two attractive models will go on sale in early 2009, and feature a combination of sporty nature and the increasingly important commitment to environmental sustainability. |