2011 What Car? Awards

UK publication What Car? has announced its 2011 Car of the Year winners.



During a ceremony held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London, prizes were awarded across seventeen vehicle categories, with one model going on to be declared overall champion.



Supermini



Shortlist

Best buy less than £9,000: Hyundai i10 1.2 Comfort

Best buy £9,000 - £13,000: Ford Fiesta 1.25 82 Zetec 5dr

Best buy more than £13,000: Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Sport



Winner

Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Sport





Small family car



Shortlist

Best buy less than £15,000: Skoda Octavia 1.2 TSI SE

Best buy £15,000 - £20,000: Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 122 Match 5dr

Best buy more than £20,000: Toyota Prius 1.8 VVT-i T3



Winner

Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 122 Match 5dr





Family car



Shortlist

Best buy less than £18,000: Skoda Superb 1.4 TSI S

Best buy £18,000 - £21,000: Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec

Best buy more than £21,000: Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI 140 SE



Winner

Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec





Estate car



Shortlist

Best buy less than £16,500: Skoda Octavia Estate 1.4 TSI SE

Best buy £16,000 - £22,000: Ford Mondeo Estate 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec

Best buy more than £22,000: BMW 5 Series Touring 520d SE



Winner

Ford Mondeo Estate 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec





MPV



Shortlist

Best buy less than £16,000: Citroën C3 Picasso 1.6 VTi VTR+

Best buy £16,000 - £22,000: Peugeot 5008 1.6 HDi 112 Sport

Best buy more than £22,000: Seat Alhambra 2.0 TDI 140 Ecomotive S



Winner

Seat Alhambra 2.0 TDI 140 Ecomotive S





Hot hatch



Shortlist

Best buy less than £15,000: Renault Twingo Renaultsport 133 Cup

Best buy £15,000 - £20,000: Renault Clio Renaultsport 200 Cup

Best buy more than £20,000: Renault Mégane Renaultsport 250 Cup



Winner

Renault Mégane Renaultsport 250 Cup





Coupé



Shortlist

Best buy less than £25,000: Volkswagen Scirocco 1.4 TSI 160

Best buy £25,000 - £40,000: Audi TT 2.0 TFSI 211 Sport

Best buy more than £40,000: Jaguar XKR



Winner

Audi TT 2.0 TFSI 211 Sport





Open-top



Shortlist

Best buy less than £25,000: Mazda MX-5 1.8i SE AC

Best buy £25,000 - £35,000: BMW Z4 sDrive23i

Best buy more than £35,000: Mercedes-Benz E350 CDI Cab Blue Efficiency SE



Winner

BMW Z4 sDrive23i





Performance car



Shortlist

Best buy less than £60,000: Lotus Evora 3.5 V6

Best buy £60,000 - £120,000: Audi R8 Spyder V10

Best buy more than £120,000: Ferrari 458 Italia



Winner

Ferrari 458 Italia





Crossover



Shortlist

Best buy less than £15,000: Nissan Juke 1.6 Visia

Best buy £15,000 - £20,000: Peugeot 3008 1.6 THP 156 Sport

Best buy more than £20,000: Volvo XC60 2.0 D3 DRIVe SE



Winner

Peugeot 3008 1.6 THP 156 Sport





4x4



Shortlist

Best buy less than £30,000: Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 CRDi Style 7 seats

Best buy £30,000 - £40,000: BMW X3 xDrive20d SE

Best buy more than £40,000: Land Rover Discovery 3.0 SDV6 XS



Winner

Land Rover Discovery 3.0 SDV6 XS





Compact executive



Shortlist

Best buy less than £25,000: BMW 3 Series 316d ES

Best buy £25,000 - £30,000: BMW 3 Series 320d ES

Best buy more than £30,000: BMW 3 Series 330d SE



Winner

BMW 3 Series 320d ES





Executive car



Shortlist

Best buy less than £30,000: BMW 5 Series 520d SE

Best buy £30,000 - £40,000: Jaguar XF 3.0D V6 Luxury

Best buy more than £40,000: Audi A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI 245 quattro SE



Winner

Jaguar XF 3.0D V6 Luxury





Luxury car



Shortlist

Best buy less than £65,000: Mercedes-Benz S-Class S350 CDI BluTEC

Best buy £65,000 - £100,000: Range Rover 4.4 TDV8 Vogue 

Best buy more than £100,000: Rolls-Royce Phantom



Winner

Mercedes-Benz S-Class S350 CDI BluTEC





Ultra-low carbon car



Winner

Nissan Leaf





Safety Award



Winner

Volvo for Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake





Security Award



Winner

Volkswagen





What Car? Car of the Year 2011



Winner

Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Sport

New Sharan by VW Group

Originally, three cars became results of the 1st 1995 Sharan: VW Sharan, Ford Galaxy and Seat Alhambra. By the way, though VW Sharan is considered the German car, actually prepares at car factories in Seat (Spain).

2011 VW Sharan

As a whole, Volkswagen Sharan is a quite reliable car. Its maintenance manages not more expensively, than the maintenance of a usual sedan. Such cars bought basically corporate firms, thus they didn't stint as at purchase, ordering basically variants with an all wheel drive, VR6 engine and leather interior, and at the subsequent car service.

It's better to search a new VW Sharan performed by for the countries with a frigid climate. At it the basic set included electroheating up of front seats and a windshield. Unfortunately, 2011 Volkswagen Sharan in our country — the car rare, therefore its owner is literally sentenced to purchase of original car parts for Sharan (because the cars is made in Spain).

Zero Congestion Charge

In a rare piece of good news for motorists, the beginning of 2011 saw a change to the London Congestion Charge that could see some drivers now (legally) avoiding the fee altogether.



The new Greener Vehicle Discount, which replaces the Alternative Fuel Discount, means that more cars will potentially qualify for 100% off the daily charge.



Naturally, there are a couple of caveats that come attached with this generous gesture from Transport for London.



The first is that the vehicle needs to be ‘green’. More precisely, it should be Euro 5 emissions compliant and produce 100 grams of CO2 per kilometre or less.



Secondly, if you already own such an eco-friendly machine, don’t presume that you can just swan about in central London and not worry about the Congestion Charge. To receive the Greener Vehicle Discount, a car must first be registered with Transport for London, and that involves a £10 annual payment.



So, what cars will qualify for the Greener Vehicle Discount? According to the Vehicle Certification Agency, the models that currently meet the criteria are:

Manufacturer	Model	Specification	Transmission	Fuel	CO2 g/km
Audi	A3	1.6 TDI 105PS Stop Start	M5	Diesel	99
Citroën	DS3	1.6HDi 90hp w/ energy saving tyres	M5	Diesel	99
Citroën	New C3	1.6HDi 90hp Airdream+	M5	Diesel	99
Fiat	500 / 500C (2010 on)	TwinAir	M5	Petrol	95
Fiat	500 / 500C (2010 on)	TwinAir Dualogic	SAT5	Petrol	92
Fiat	Punto Evo (Jan 2010 on)	1.3 16v MultiJet 85 ECO	M5	Diesel	95
Ford	Fiesta (Post 2010¼)	1.6 Duratorq 95PS +DPF ECO	M5	Diesel	98
Hyundai	i10	1.0l SOHC	M5	Petrol	99
Mini	Hatchback	One D w/ DPF	M6	Diesel	99
Mini	Hatchback	Cooper D w/ DPF	M6	Diesel	99
Seat	Ibiza	ST 1.2 CR TDI 75PS Ecomotive	M5	Diesel	92
Seat	Leon	1.6 CR TDI 105PS Ecomotive	M5	Diesel	99
Skoda	New Fabia Hatch	1.2 CR TDI 75PS GreenLine II	M5	Diesel	89
Skoda	New Fabia Estate	1.2 CR TDI 75PS GreenLine II	M5	Diesel	89
Skoda	New Fabia Estate	1.2 TDI 3 cylinder 75PS GreenLine	M5	Diesel	89
Smart	fortwo cabrio (MY 2011)	54 bhp cdi w/ Softip & 15" rear wheels	5 AMT	Diesel	86
Smart	fortwo cabrio (MY 2011)	54 bhp cdi w/ Softouch & 15" rear wheels	5 AMT	Diesel	87
Smart	fortwo cabrio (MY 2011)	71 bhp mhd w/ Softip & 15" rear wheels	5 AMT	Petrol	99
Smart	fortwo cabrio (MY 2011)	71 bhp mhd w/ Softouch & 15" rear wheels	5 AMT	Petrol	100
Smart	fortwo coupé (MY 2011)	54 bhp cdi w/ Softip & 15" rear wheels	5 AMT	Diesel	86
Smart	fortwo coupé (MY 2011)	54 bhp cdi w/ Softouch & 15" rear wheels	5 AMT	Diesel	87
Smart	fortwo coupé (MY 2011)	71 bhp mhd w/ Softip & 15" rear wheels	5 AMT	Petrol	97
Smart	fortwo coupé (MY 2011)	71 bhp mhd w/ Softouch & 15" rear wheels	5 AMT	Petrol	98
Toyota	iQ (MY 2011)	1.0 VVT-i	M5	Petrol	99
Toyota	Auris Hybrid (MY 2010)	T4 89g 1.8 VVT-i	E-CVT	Petrol Hybrid	89
Toyota	Auris Hybrid (MY 2010)	T4 1.8 VVT-i	E-CVT	Petrol Hybrid	93
Toyota	Auris Hybrid (MY 2010)	T Spirit 1.8 VVT-i	E-CVT	Petrol Hybrid	93
Toyota	Prius (MY 2009)	T4 1.8 VVT-I	E-CVT	Petrol Hybrid	92
Toyota	Prius (MY 2009)	T3 1.8VVT-I	E-CVT	Petrol Hybrid	89
Toyota	Prius (MY 2009)	T Spirit 1.8 VVT-I	E-CVT	Petrol Hybrid	92
Toyota	Prius (MY 2009)	T Spirit w/ Solar Panel 1.8VVT-I	E-CVT	Petrol Hybrid	89
Volkswagen	New Polo	1.2 TDI 75PS BlueMotion	M5	Diesel	89
Volkswagen	New Golf	1.6 TDI 105PS BlueMotion	M5	Diesel	99
Volvo	C30 (MY 2011)	DRIVe	M6	Diesel	99
Volvo	C30 (MY 2011)	DRIVe	M6	Diesel	99
Volvo	S40 (MY 2010)	DRIVe	M6	Diesel	99
Volvo	S40 (MY 2011)	DRIVe	M6	Diesel	99
Volvo	V50 (MY 2011)	DRIVe	M6	Diesel	99
NB: Electric and plug-in hybrid cars aren’t eligible for the Greener Vehicle Discount - they have their own discount scheme.

It’s worth bearing in mind that Transport for London has committed to review the Greener Vehicle Discount in the future, so that eventually only vehicles emitting 80 g/km or less qualify. This tweak will be introduced ‘when the time is right’, but the first reassessment of the discount has been confirmed for 2012.



And finally, the area covered by the Congestion Charge is now much smaller, following the scrapping of the Western Extension zone on 4th January 2011:

Related posts:

Congestion Charge change

London Congestion Charge

Audi A1 1.4 TFSI, not S1

Audi is to unveil the hot(ish) version of its A1 supermini at the Paris Motor Show. But, contrary to normal convention, it won’t be called S1. Instead, it’ll have the long and inelegant title of Audi A1 1.4 TFSI, because there’s no quattro all-wheel drive system to warrant the ‘S’ prefix.

Its 1.4 litre turbocharged and supercharged engine, seven-speed dual clutch gearbox and underpinnings are all shared with the Volkswagen Polo GTI, Skoda Fabia vRS and Seat Ibiza SC Cupra. However, Audi obviously felt the need to differentiate the ‘premium’ version of the quartet, so the A1 gets a superficial power increase from 176 bhp (132 kW / 180 PS) to 182 bhp (136 kW / 185 PS).



Not that those few extra horsepower make any difference. The 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 6.9 seconds is exactly the same as the Polo GTI’s, for example, while a top speed of 141 mph (227 km/h) is actually 1 mph slower than the Volkswagen can manage. At least the combined cycle fuel economy of 47.9 mpg (5.9 l/100km) and CO2 emissions of 139 g/km are equal to what the Polo achieves.



UK pricing and final specification have yet to be confirmed. In Germany, though, the 182 bhp 1.4 TFSI will be around 15% more than the current most expensive model in the range. Applying a similar relationship to the UK price list could mean the de facto ‘S1’ costs nearly £21,000.



Perhaps that might be justifiable if the A1 had quattro to distinguish it from its Polo, Fabia and Ibiza cousins - but it doesn’t. However, such details probably won’t be enough to deter those who are determined to have four rings on the front of their car.

Citroen DS3 Racing

The Citroen DS3 Racing will cost £23,100 when UK sales start in early 2011. That’s a lot for a fancy three-door Citroen C3 but, with right hand drive production limited to just 200 units, demand should comfortably outstrip supply.

Based on the existing DS3 DSport THP 150, the Racing version has an uprated 1.6 lire turbo engine which produces 204 bhp (152 kW / 207 PS) and 275 Nm of torque. Consequently, performance is rapid with the 0-62 mph (100 km/h) sprint taking only 6.5 seconds. Top speed is 146 mph (235 km/h).



To go with that extra power, the chassis has also been tweaked. The DS3 Racing gets bespoke dampers, wider (by 30 mm) front and rear tracks and a lower (by 15 mm) ride height, all of which is claimed to sharpen the handling and enhance control. The brakes have also been beefed up, with Citroen fitting four piston calipers and upgraded front discs.



As would be expected given the price, equipment levels are fairly generous. Standard specification includes climate control and Bluetooth connectivity, although not throwing in satellite navigation too is just being stingy.



Available to order from the beginning of September, the DS3 Racing comes in two colour schemes: Obsidian Black pearlescent body with a Sport Orange roof, or Polar White body with a Carbon Grey roof. Whichever is chosen, the roof colour is carried across to the dashboard fascia, tailgate spoiler, door mirrors, alloy wheels, Citroen chevrons and the grille surround.



Completing the look are plenty of carbon fibre bits to emphasise the Racing’s sporty credentials. On the outside these include the wheel arch extensions and rear diffuser, while inside the centre console, steering wheel and door inserts all get the carbon treatment.



The DS3 Racing is going to be up against other expensive superminis such as the equally fast £21,875 Mini John Cooper Works, or the marginally slower £19,650 Renault Clio Gordini 200. But it’s also worth considering that on price it will actually be competing with hot hatches from the segment above, for instance the £23,160 Renault Megane Renaultsport 250 Cup and the £21,500 Seat Leon Cupra.



However, perhaps what really puts the DS3 Racing’s steep price in perspective is knowing that an extra £3,000 would buy something like a BMW 125i M Sport Coupé, with its rear-wheel drive and 215 bhp (160 kW / 218 PS) six cylinder engine.

Leon Cupra R arrives

It used to be that 200 bhp was thought the limit for front-wheel drive cars. Any more would just mean the driver became too well acquainted with their local tyre supplier, before the inevitable torque-steer induced crash into a hedge.



But trick suspension designs and traction control systems now mean that manufacturers are prepared to push ever increasing power levels through the front wheels, the 345 bhp (257 kW / 350 PS) Ford Focus RS500 demonstrating what’s possible.



Seat must have confidence in the chassis of its Leon, because it has just announced that the 261 bhp (195 kW / 265 PS) Cupra R will be offered in the UK. Thanks to a modified ECU and increased maximum turbo pressure, its 2.0 litre TSI engine has 25 bhp (18 kW / 25 PS) more than the ‘standard’ Leon Cupra. The extra power means the 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time is reduced by 0.2 seconds to 6.2 seconds, while top speed has been limited to 155 mph (250 km/h).

The Cupra R has been a while coming though, as it was first revealed in September 2009 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. And now it’s here it will be rather exclusive, with Seat limiting UK sales to around 500 each year. However, with a price tag of £25,205, that volume will probably be enough to satisfy demand.

Features distinguishing the Cupra R are bigger brake discs, plenty of ‘R’ badges and 19” alloy wheels with ultra-low profile 235/35 tyres. There’s also an extended rear spoiler, twin exhaust pipes that exit through the centre of the diffuser and moulded front seat backs that complement the rest of the very black interior.

Controlling the extra power is XDS, the electronic system used across various Volkswagen Group models. It uses the anti-lock brakes to imitate the action of a mechanical limited slip differential, applying braking force to a slipping wheel to improve grip and limit understeer.  The Cupra R also gets ESP stability control, TCS traction control and EBA emergency braking assistance to help keep it on the tarmac.

If the thought of 261 bhp and front wheel drive doesn’t appeal, the same engine is available in the Audi S3. It manages to be slightly quicker than the Seat, thanks to its quattro all-wheel drive, but UK prices start at £30,510 for the five-door Sportback version.

GTI or vRS or Cupra?

The new Volkswagen Polo GTI, Skoda Fabia vRS and Seat Ibiza SC Cupra.



All have a 176 bhp (180 PS / 132 kW) 1.4 litre petrol engine that’s both turbocharged and supercharged, all come with a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox, all will accelerate from 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in about seven seconds, all have a top speed of around 140 mph (225 km/h), and all are based on the same platform.

So then, essentially the same cars. Except when it comes to price.



Perhaps unsurprisingly the Skoda is the cheapest, with a UK on the road price of £15,700 for the five-door hatch or £16,495 for the estate. Next up is the Seat, available only as a three-door at £16,545. Then comes the Volkswagen, which costs £18,275 for the three-door or £18,875 for the five-door.

Now, the Fabia may only have manual air conditioning, as opposed to the climate control that’s fitted as standard to the Ibiza and Polo, and its rear windows must be manually wound up and down. But otherwise all three cars have pretty much the same specification, which includes traction control, XDS electronic differential lock, sports seats and 17” alloy wheels.



The obvious question is why would anyone in their right mind pay the not insignificant £3,175 extra for the five-door version of the Volkswagen, instead of buying the Skoda? That’s a premium of over 20%.

Is it down to badge snobbery, or a vain fear of what others may think of Fabia drivers? Anyone who still believes there’s anything wrong with either the Skoda brand or its products is at least fifteen years behind the times, so their opinion shouldn’t really count for much anyway.



To prove that particular point, Skoda recently won the Best Car Manufacturer Award from UK consumer magazine ‘Which?’. The marque achieved 89% as a customer score, 79% for the quality of its dealerships, 81% for dealer service and 79% for reliability of cars up to eight years old. By contrast, its Audi, Volkswagen, and Seat sister brands didn’t even make the shortlist.

SEAT Ibiza FR TDI has received diesel acceleration

SEAT announced the plans concerning sports hatchback Ibiza FR which is going to complete with a new turbo-engine, that, certainly, only will even more warm up sports image of the car.

SEAT Ibiza for the Great Britain

Since March in the market there will be right-hand drive updating SEAT Ibiza FR TDI which will be intended for realisation in the Great Britain, with the new diesel engine. It is a question of a 2-l turbo-engine, 143HP developing power and 320Nm of the twisting moment.

In the Great Britain cost SEAT Ibiza FR TDI begins from $26,700.

New SEAT Ibiza FR TDI

Related Posts: SEAT

• Company SEAT has filled up family Ecomotive with new versions
• Seat will present the most compact car in 2010
• Seat will bring to Frankfurt the most powerful version Leon Cupra

Company SEAT has filled up family Ecomotive with new versions

The Spanish autocompany SEAT will present on the Frankfurt motor show new versions Ecomotive of models Leon, Altea and Altea XL Kombi.

Novelties will fill up family Ecomotive, into which models Ibiza (blowout CO2 — 98 g/km) and Alhambra (159 g/km) enter. Capacity of 77 kw/105HP have equipped 1,6-litre engine Common-Rail TDI with the filter. As a result blowout СО2 at Leon managed to be lowered to 99 g/km, at Altea/Altea XL — to 119/km.

Buyers of such cars will get tax advantages in many European countries. For example, in Spain from them will not levy the tax to car registration.

Altea consumes in the commixed cycle of fuel of 4,5L on 100 km, and Leon Ecomotive — 3,8L.

Related Posts: SEAT

• SEAT Ibiza FR TDI has received diesel acceleration
• Seat will present the most compact car in 2010
• Seat will bring to Frankfurt the most powerful version Leon Cupra

Seat will present the most compact car in 2010

In March of next year on automobile show in Geneva company Seat plans to present the new compact car which becomes the ideological successor of model Arosa.

It is expected, that the car it will be created on units of the serial version of hatchback Volkswagen Up!, for the first time presented on the Frankfurt motor show two years ago.

Successor Seat Arosa will receive the new firm design of an interior which are distinct from Ibiza and Exeo. Besides, this model will have an updating with system of an automatic stop and engine start. As it was informed earlier, the novelty will weigh about 830 kgs and will receive a 35-litre petrol tank.

On preliminary data, next year only conceptual version compact Seat debuts, and the serial version becomes on the factory conveyor in Bratislava in 2011. Prospective cost of base updating compact Seat in the European market — 7,300 euros.

Related Posts: SEAT

• SEAT Ibiza FR TDI has received diesel acceleration
• Company SEAT has filled up family Ecomotive with new versions
• Seat will bring to Frankfurt the most powerful version Leon Cupra

Seat will bring to Frankfurt the most powerful version Leon Cupra

On Wednesday company Seat has officially presented the most powerful updating of "charged" hatchback Leon Cupra which will receive traditional prefix R in the name.

The world premiere of the car will take place in September of current year at the international automobile exhibition in Frankfurt. About it it is spoken in a communique "Seat".

The novelty has received a two-litre petrol turbo-motor power of 265HP which works together with a six-step mechanical transmission and corresponds to ecological requirements "Euro-5". It's necessary to notice, that more powerful versions of hatchback Leon Cupra — 310 Limited Edition (310HP) and Cupra Edition (282HP) — are issued by the limited circulations and are accessible only in Holland and Germany accordingly. Updating R will be on sale in all European markets, however exact terms of occurrence of the car at dealers are not specified yet.

According to the manufacturer, Cupra R with 0 to 100 km/h it can be dispersed for 6,2 seconds, and the maximum speed will make 250 km/h. Thus the average expense of fuel at such car will be equal 8,1 litres on hundred kilometres of run. Also the "charged" hatchback has received electronic imitation of blocking of interwheel differential XDS, powerful brake mechanisms with 345-millimetric disks in front and 286-millimetric behind and 19-inch wheel disks.
Novelty cost yet is not informed.

Related Posts: SEAT

• SEAT Ibiza FR TDI has received diesel acceleration
• Company SEAT has filled up family Ecomotive with new versions
• Seat will present the most compact car in 2010

SEAT Ibiza SC by JE Design

Back in June JE Design wasted no time in styling the new Seat Ibiza 5-door just after its debut. Now, following the debut of the Ibiza SportsCoupe 3-door in London this past July and recent market launch, JE Design have done it again.

The kit includes a front spoiler, sport radiator grill, headlight eyebrows, side skirts, roof spoiler and a rear bumper apron attachment with a carbon look. Furthermore, the Ibiza features LSD wing doors, center-mounted trapezoidal tailpipe and special matte black acrylic sheets (see red Ibiza 5-door photos) which help replicate the look of the Bocanegra concept look.

Additional touches include 35mm lowering springs (see blue Ibiza 3-door photos) or even lower KW coil-overs with a 65mm drop plus JE Design wheel sets in either 7x17 ET 35 or 7.5x18 ET 35 with tires 215/40 R17 or 215/35 R 18. The customer has an additional choice between "shadow silver" or “black matte / lip silver” finish.

Finally, under the hood for the 1.9 TDI engine, an upgrade is made to give 130 hp (90hp series) resulting in increases in performance from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.0 seconds (series: 11.1 sec.) and a top speed of 198 km/h (series: 186 km/h).

Seat Leon Body Kit by JE Design

VW Group tuning specialists JE Design have gone ahead and developed a fourth, no wait, fifth aerodynamics body package for the Seat Leon. Still closely resembling the base Leon P1 kit (non-Cupra, FR & wide body), the German tuning expert now offers a carbon fiber look adhesive film in various colors.

The body kit consists of a front bumper fascia with new LED daylight running lights, grille, headlamp lens strips, side skirts and newly designed rear bumper fascia skirt attachment which accommodates four 90mm exhaust pipes.

Under the hood, JE Design is offering a new power increase via engine management upgrade that bounces the standard 103 kW (140 hp) up to 130 kW (176 hp). Torque also increases by 85 Nm to 405 Nm.

New 19-inch multispoke wheel-set, 4-piston brakes and coilover suspension capable of lowering ride height from 35mm to a ground scraping 65 mm round out the package. See press release below for full details.

Seat Ibiza by JE Design

Tuning firm JE Design have wasted little time in getting to work on the new Seat Ibiza by releasing first details of their tuning program for the new five-door model. Initial information states the sports package will get a set of lowering springs, new multispoke 17 inch or 18 inch alloy wheels and a smooth body kit featuring a front spoiler, side skirts and rear apron.

We are told by the German tuner that the full kit is still under development, a wing door conversion, thread chassis and other body components will be released in the future along with a bit of diesel engine tuning. The 1.4-liter TDI is set to get a 25hp boost up to 105 horsepower and the 1.9-liter TDI will get the same boost taking total output to 130hp, although there is no confirmation on these figures yet.

Seat Leon Cupra K1 Styling Kit

As if the menacing Cupra’s look wasn’t enough, SEAT is now offering its UK customers an even scarier car to drive in, with the K1 Limited Edition Styling Kit. Purely a plastic surgery kit – the 2.0-litre turbo still kicks out 240 bhp/ 179kW. SEAT has gone a step further by slightly dropping the price of a standard Cupra by some 200 quid, helping to make good headway for the inclusion of K1 for future purchases.

Where the major changes are made is just about the only area allowed for general public consumption, which is the exterior. There’s more than just a passing resemblance to the Sport BTCC car, SEAT’s race-winning maverick, as BTCC forms the basic inspiration for the look.

Colours offered are Inferi Black, Emocion Red, Luna Grey and Candy white. Work has been done on both bumpers, side skirts and rear spoiler. Exhaust system has borrowed from big brothers Porsche and Audi by going central and oval for shape respectively. Wheels will be 18-inch alloys which cost £205 RRP and come in either black or white.

Press Release

Fresh for the imminent ‘08’ plate change SEAT is giving its most potent road-going model – the muscular Leon Cupra – the option of an even more sporty look courtesy of a dramatic limited edition styling kit version.

The impressive additions to the Leon’s already lithe lines give the 240 PS, turbocharged 2.0-litre Cupra even more of the look of the race-winning SEAT Sport BTCC car, which is set to compete for top honours again this year.

Boasting a bespoke K¹ boot badge, the limited edition car’s comprehensive styling additions include extensively re-worked front and rear bumpers, smart side skirts, a more pronounced tailgate spoiler and unique chrome-tipped, centrally-mounted, oval exhaust.

The car’s enhancements come in a range of eye-catching colours: Inferi Black, Emocion Red, Luna Grey and Candy White, and it is available to order now through the SEAT UK dealer network.

Great value at just £1,000 RRP over the standard Cupra, the K¹ additions arrive at the same time as a change to the Leon range-topper’s equipment manifest. Powerful Bi-xenon headlights, complete with AFS dynamic bend lighting that follows the turn of the steering wheel to help ensure the beam is always pointing precisely where the car’s headed, are now a £870 option.

At the same time new, optional, 18” Orion alloy wheels in black or white are made available at £205 RRP.

The best news for Cupra fans, though, is that the standard car’s price has been trimmed, from £19,695 RRP to £19,495 RRP, to make the 153 mph flier even easier on the pocket. The body kitted K¹ therefore costs £20,495 RRP.

SEAT UK’s Head of Marketing, Steve Robertson, said of the Cupra changes: ‘The K¹ styling kit gives the car even more road presence, and clearly recalls the look of our super-quick BTCC competitor.