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Sunday, June 20, 2010

RoadTest: Seat Ibiza SC BocaNegra

So it is test drive time once again. Today it is the Seat Ibiza SC BocaNegra (Black mouth-

hence the black plastic front grille).

Although not available in 4Wheel drive we were interested because it comes complete with

an Audi/VW style 7 speed DSG gearbox, a 180 BHP 1.4 litre petrol engine and a pretty

bodyshell all weighing less than 1200 Kg and at a sensible price.

The Blog

Our new grueling test that all our new potential cars must attempt. Can they accommodate

Marcus's race carbon fibre bicycle in its soft DHB bike bag. It just fits in the TT and in the

Ibiza it fits a little more easily. Still spookily close though, only a few cm's of space width and

length wise.

This car had the almost 2K CHF extra racing brake package. The brakes were amazing but

the clearance between the calipers and the wheel was ridiculously close. I expect choosing

winter rims that actually fit would be somewhat tricky.

The doors were nice and plain with some aluminium detailing

The BocaNegra is the top of the line in the Ibiza world. As such it has some specially detailed

cloth seats and some carbon radio, gearbox and instrument surrounds. It's quite nicely done.

The steering is bonkers light in operation making parking super easy but whilst driving I wish

it was heavier. If you look closely you will see the 7 speed DSG gearbox which works like a

dream.

We just love hatchbacks. Good enough for Aston Martin, good enough for us.

Marcus Bennett at 09:10:00

Here is the 1.4 litre supercharged and turbocharged engine good for 180 BHP. Quite

something. Their has been little to challenge my 1991 baby CRX which managed 160BHP

from a 1.6 litre, as they say anything over 100 BHP per litre is good going. Must say though it

does not rev like a racing engine. Also it does sound somewhat noisy whilst revving and the

Salesman told me this was a feature.

Overall: This car did impress us. It's a good looking, lightweight coupe, with room for 4 people

or 2 people and a large bicycle box. There is a full size spare, a powerful yet economical

engine and the interior whilst not stylish is actually quite nice. The BocaNegra is the top of

the line and as the same spec as the Ibiza Cupra but limits you to White or Red colours that

we don't like. So we'd have to take the Cupra and add numerous option packs like the Xenon,

Racing Brakes to get it to spec (losing the exclusive BocaNegra detailing like the seats). On

the downside: the interior is not as beautifully styled as the Audi TT (but then what is, even a

911 falls short of a TT), the car is noisy to rev, and when all extras are added the price rises

to about 35K CHF. Lastly the competition is coming in the form of the VW Polo GTi which of

course uses the same Engine and 7 speed DSG transmission. It promises to be even more

expensive, uglier outside but possibly more stylish on the inside.

Links

Seat UK

Seat Ibiza Brochure

Seat Ibiza BocaNegra roadtest

VW Polo GTi 2010 roadtest

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