2016 SEAT Ibiza Cupra gets new engine & manual gearbox – costs from £18,100

The 2016 SEAT Ibiza Cupra gets an update for 2016 with a new 1.8 litre 189bhp TSI engine and manual gearbox. Costs from £18,100.

The SEAT Ibiza Cupra is getting a raft of updates and improvements for 2016 as SEAT try to keep the Ibiza Cupra ahead of rivals like the Ford Fiesta ST.

Top of the list for the latest Ibiza Cupra is a new engine, with the old 1.4 litre turbo being replaced by a 1.8 litre TSI with 189bhp, enough to get the Ibiza to 62mph in 6.7 seconds, the arrival of a manual gearbox, bigger brakes and CUPRA Drive Profile modes to set throttle response and steering in Sport or Comfort.

Only available in SC (Sports Coupe) guise, the Ibiza Cupra comes with 17″ Barcino alloys, XDS electronic diff lock, auto lights and wipers, sports seats, electric door mirrors, Climate, Cruise, bi-xenon lights and LED running and tail lights.

The interior has been upgraded too, with touches from the Leon, with a new steering wheel, air vents, instrument panel and infotainment, with more emphasis on premium and tactile surfaces.

But SEAT reckon most UK buyers will opt for the titivated Ibiza Cupra Black, which adds black alloys, red brake calipers, 6.5″ touchscreen Sat Nav and voice recognition, but costs £800 more than the regular Cupra.

If you feel the need to titivate your new Ibiza Cupra beyond the Black, there are other options including Alcantara upholstery (£400), glass sunroof (£495) and ambient lighting (£60), as well as SEAT Sound (£155) and a Navigation System (£580).

The 2016 SEAT Ibiza Cupra is now available to order from SEAT’s UK dealers.