Seat shocked the Auto Salon Barcelona press
corps today by introducing the production model of the Seat Ibiza
Bocanegra. Introduced as a concept at last year's Geneva show, the
Ibiza Bocanegra got a fitting curtain call on Seat's home turf.
At the front, you immediately notice the blacked-out portions of the
front fascia, bumper, headlights, and honeycomb mesh grille. It's the
blackened front end that garnered the "Bocanegra" name. Translated as
"black mouth", the car is a bit of a tribute to the Seat 1200 Sport
Bocanegra. Based on the Fiat 127, but with a bigger engine, the 1200
Sport was produced over a five-year period.
The hatchback is powered by a twin-charged 1.4-liter TSI engine,
that can be tuned to either 150 or 180 horsepower. The company claims
the engine performs well while maintaining "exceptional [fuel]
economy." Once behind the wheel, the driver controls the seven-speed
DSG gearbox with the paddle-shifters on the steering wheel. If you
drive the car a bit hard, the XDS electronic limited slip differential
should help you get full use of the car's horsepower.
Fog lamps are built into a non-black portion of the oversized
bumper. Follow the lines back to the muscular wheel arches to find the
17-inch Sira alloys. The car also gets a darkened sunroof and rear
window, and black side-mirror casings. The company is also proud of
the car's rear end, which incorporates mesh side grids, and a spoiler.
Bocanegra badging is featured dead-center on the hatch.
Climb inside and try to get comfortable in the quilt-patterned
fabric sport seats with red stitching, and an embroidered red capital
"B." Black trim contrasts well with the red stitching, metallic
touches, and aluminum pedals. A squared-off three-spoke steering wheel
also has the "B" logo, this time in aluminum.
And UK drivers get ready: a Seat Ibiza Bocanegra will also be available as a right-hand-drive.
Source: Seat S.A.