New budget cars from VW's SEAT

Priced at R122 490 for the 1.4 and R139 950 for the 1.6 Sport, it brings the Ibiza range within reach of a much wider market segment.

The Ibiza 1.4 is powered by a 1 390 cc engine capable of 63 kW at 5 000 r/min and 130 Nm of torque available at 3 800 r/min. A five-speed manual gearbox drives the front wheels.

This allows the Ibiza 1.4 to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 11.9 seconds with a top speed of 180 km/h. According to SEAT the average fuel consumption is 6.5-litres per 100 km in the combined cycle.

Standard equipment on the 1.4 model includes a CD-based audio system, air-conditioning, power assisted steering and key-operated central locking, to name but a few.

On the safety side it gets ABS assistance for the braking system and dual front airbags as standard equipment.

Moving up a notch to the new Ibiza 1.6 Sport, this model offers 74 kW at 5 500 r/min and accompanying torque of 140 Nm at 3 250 r/min. Again, a five-speed manual gearbox powers the front wheels.

Against the clock, the Ibiza 1.6 Sport will accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 11.7 sec going on to a top speed of 187 km/h. The claimed fuel consumption is 7.3-litres per 100 km in the combined cycle.

In terms of standard equipment, it shares the same basic features as the Ibiza 1.4 but with several other value-added items.

Visually, the Ibiza 1.6 Sport's persona is perked up with the addition of 15-inch alloy wheels. On the inside there is a leather covered sports steering wheel and gearshift knob as well as front sport seats.

Further comfort items include remote control central locking, power-operated front windows electrically operated side mirrors - all as standard.

As with all Ibiza models on offer in South Africa, a 3-year or 120 000 km warranty comes as standard. Service intervals are pegged at 15 000 km and there is the option to purchase a 5-year or 90 000 km service plan.

SEAT models are fully imported and supported by Volkswagen of South Africa.