Spanish carmaker SEAT is celebrating the 25th anniversary of their iconic super-mini, first seen at the 1984 Paris Motor Show.
Now in its fourth generation the sporty Spanish number has added some much needed passion into the supermini market which has seen over four million Ibiza’s sold around the world in that time.
The original MK I was available between 1984 and 1993, and was the official car of the Barcelona Olympics in 1992. In 1993, the MK II was launched to the world and was the first model to be manufactured out of SEATs Martorell factory, 30kms outside of SEAT’s original Barcelona base. By the time the third generation launched the MK II had sold over 1.5 million units.
The SEAT Ibiza MK III was unleashed in 2001 with further improvements to quality, power, and performance. In its home market a staggering 18 versions of the third generation were offered (with several MK III versions still available as new today) with five levels of trim and 11 engines. The first generation Ibiza Ecomotive is based on the MK III with its low 99g/km emissions.
With arguably still plenty of life in the third generation, SEAT pressed ahead with a fourth generation of the Ibiza in 2008. The new Ibiza boasts excellent dynamics thanks in part to a brand new Volkswagen Group platform, as well as an all-new seven speed DSG gearbox.
SEAT have big plans for their popular supermini and hope to achieve 800,000 unit sales per annum by 2018; and with the imminent arrival of the Ibiza Ecomotive, Cupra, FR and Cupra Bocanegra who would bet against the Spanish?
Check out the latest consumer reviews on the SEAT Ibiza at RoadTestReports.co.uk.
