SEAT has given its Ibiza Cupra hot supermini a power boost, along with upgrades to its appearance, interior and equipment list.
The facelifted Ibiza Cupra can now wring 189bhp and 320Nm of torque from its 1.8-litre four-pot turbo engine, meaning that it now comfortably outguns the 179bhp fan-favourite Ford Fiesta ST.
Thanks to a reworked valvelift system and an all-new turbocharger, there’s enough power to get the hot Ibiza to 62mph from a standstill in just 6.7 seconds, with a top speed of 146mph.
Other performance touches to up its on-road abilities include an electronic differential lock, more powerful brakes and the Cupra Drive Profile feature to adjust handling characteristics on the fly.
SEAT has also updated the car’s look with broader bumpers and a matt-black diffuser for a more powerful and muscular stance, while it now also sports bi-xenon headlights and 17-inch alloys.
Inside, the cockpit gets a refresh with a new soft-touch finish, the same leather sports steering wheel as the new Leon, plus an all-new instrument panel and the option of Alcantara upholstery.
The five-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system as standard can also be enlarged to 6.5 inches on higher trim levels, and supports Mirror Link, Apple Car Play and Android Auto smartphone pairing.
Other equipment as standard includes LED daytime running lights at the front and LED rear lights, plus climate control, cruise control and tinted glass on the side and rear windows.
Prices for the updated SEAT Ibiza Cupra have yet to be confirmed, though SEAT claims that the new version will be cheaper than the outgoing model, which currently starts from £18,765.