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our test drives or view them all

SEAT Ibiza Cupra 1.4 DSG

ADD a splash of Latino to a European recipe and what do you get? Value, youthful style and guaranteed fun.

And that’s nowhere better illustrated than with SEAT’s smile-raising small hot hatch – the Ibiza Cupra.

Unashamedly sporting, lively, precise and responsive, this diminutive three-door Ibiza SC is blessed with two technical features that help it to hit the bullseye – a cracking 1.4-litre blown petrol engine that delivers a screaming 178bhp, and a DSG transmission with a paddle-shift change that delivers with the precision of a Swiss watch.

The engine is incredible. Based on similar units used by Volkswagen, it has a supercharger to lift the power and torque from idle to 3000rpm – after which an exhaust-driven turbocharger takes over to continue the power flow right to the limit.

It’s a remarkable unit that Volkswagen has also dropped into the new Polo GTI with 178bhp.

Smooth, responsive and gutsy in both SEAT and VW chassis, it also produces impressive pulling power with 184lb.ft of torque from 2000rpm.

But what makes it even more special is its economy and relative cleanliness. Average petrol consumption is 44mpg – and even taking advantage of the Cupra’s spirited delivery, on some West Highland roads I was able to maintain an easy 36mpg.

Exhaust emissions are just under the 150g/km that fall into group F for 2010 which means a not too frightening £125 road tax bill. Mind you, insurance will not be cheap in group 14 unless you are an older driver.

But hang the expense – the Cupra DSG is pure adrenaline-fed fun.

It’s odd that the boys in Barcelona decided to offer the Cupra only with a seven-speed DSG – but believe me, it suffers nothing because of this.

I’m a DSG fan. I love its precision – and when you want to relax or are dribbling around town, it’s a breeze to leave it in full auto and let the transmission do the thinking.

On the open road the paddles are brilliant. There’s none of the downshift delay that once plagued paddle-shifters.

The Cupra’s system is fast and only baulks when you ask too much of the box – more a self-protection measure than a lack of ability.

Of course there are those who hate DSG. They dismiss it as an "automatic" and can’t see its appeal.

I may not agree, but feel the real loser here is SEAT which doesn’t offer a manual transmission on the Cupra or its body-kitted sister, the £17,245 Bocanegra.

But there is nothing wrong with the DSG and 1.4 TSI partnership. It’s electric!

The Cupra is a lightweight hot hatch – and not all that roomy. But buyers who seek driving feedback and relish a responsive and handy little slingshot will not be bothered.

Part of the rapid SEAT’s appeal is its sub-1.2 tonne kerb weight. It means the front drive car is lithe and precise – an incorrigible little scamp of a car that’s more feisty terrier than lumbering bulldog.

When it comes to practicality, the Cupra struggles. Interior space is not great by modern supermini standards, and cargo carrying is not a strong point – just 284 litres in the boot and not a whole lot more even after you fold the split rear seats.

It’s also noisy with a hard ride – down in part to low profile 40-section performance tyres on attractive 17-inch alloys, and also because it sits on a stiff sports suspension that keeps the car rock solid through bends and rattles your teeth on the Highlands’ rough post-big freeze potholed surfaces.

The Cupra is a charmer on a twisty road. Its power steering is beautifully weighted – not too light and not over-servoed.

It’s extremely surefooted and it was reassuring to know that it comes as standard with a great electronic stability programme linked to powerful ABS and SEAT’s XDS electronic differential lock.

Not once did I feel intimidated by this well-mannered hot shot. It’s a real fun car built for the young and young at heart.

It’s also a well-equipped little car. You won’t be left wanting for creature comforts and toys in standard guise, although the test car’s panoramic glass sunroof costs an extra £450 and the fine sports leather seats added a further £820.

SEAT charges £250 extra for a handy “convenience pack” that includes rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming interior mirror, and a headlamp get-you-home delay. That’s good value.

I was less impressed by the £550 for the car’s speed blue custom palette paint job, and felt the Bluetooth communications pack at £250 was a bit on the steep side.

But generally speaking, though not a cheap car and at group 14 quite pricey to insure, the Ibiza Cupra is a superb pocket rocket.

I was stunned by its overtaking ability. Flicking down through the gears using the short shift paddles tucked behind the horizontal steering wheel spokes was fast and intuitive.

And the flat-bottomed steering wheel was great to grip. It made overtaking manoeuvres feel safe and quick, and the car’s kart-like responses were a real delight on demanding twists and turns.

Safety looks good. The Cupra is lightly skinned – it dents easily. But that helps economy and performance.

And should you be unfortunate enough to have an accident, you have an excellent VAG designed electronic intervention system through the ESP, ABS and XDS in addition to twin front airbags and head-thorax side airbags.

The dash is simple, easy to read at a glance, and secondary controls work well. But why SEAT chose to mount a horizontal bank of push button switches low down and just ahead of the central transmission tunnel is a mystery. It’s awkward and difficult to see.

But there’s better news on the heating and ventilation system. The air distribution on the standard climate control goes one better than most larger cars with four choices for directing air flow – screen, face, feet and lower torso. It’s excellent on a sub-zero driving day.

It may cost a bit, but it’s going to be cheaper than the new Volkswagen Polo with a similar power and transmission system.

The Polo uses much the same technology and parts, but surprisingly it’s slightly lighter than the Cupra.

I liked the Cupra, its technology, its feel and its agility. It’s a great little hot hatch that’s in the same mould as the famous Mini Cooper S of the ’60s and ’70s – but a lot hotter.

The Cupra is not a toy. This is a serious little performer as its potential 140mph top speed and blistering mid-range grunt proves.

It’s a good effort but needs to be treated with respect – one for the committed adrenalin junkie.

Rating: 8/10

FINAL THOUGHT: Fantastic fun! SEAT’s modest little lightweight hot hatch is one of today’s top small sports hatches. It’s affordable, superbly assembled, and its brilliant little turbocharged 1.4 petrol heart delivers a sparkling performance linked to its paddle-shift automatic transmission.

SEAT Ibiza Cupra 1.4 DSG

• Price: £16,545
• Capacity: 1390cc
• Power: 178bhp
• 0-62mph: 7.2 seconds
• Maximum speed: 140mph
• Economy: Combined 44.1mpg; Urban 34mpg
• CO2 emissions: 148g/km
• ESP: Standard
• Insurance: Group 14