SEAT has unveiled its latest and most sporty model in the Ibiza range, the Ibiza FR (Formula Racing). The Ibiza FR, equipped with a 1.8 litre 20-valve 150 PS (110 kW) engine, made its debut at the Bologna Motorshow and is scheduled for sale in the UK early in 2004.

The Ibiza FR has strikingly different looks from the rest of the range thanks to its five double-spoke, titanium-coloured 16-inch alloy wheels. The use of the same smoky titanium colour on the door mirrors, headlamps and taillight housing, helps to define the sporty image of this car. The front bumper has been specially designed for the FR and has honeycomb mesh over the air intakes. At the rear, the bumper reveals a sporty, chromed double exhaust. There is a bold black and red FR badge on each of the B-pillars.

The Ibiza FR interior also has its own sporty style distinguished by elements such as the metallic finish on the instrument panel, central console, air vents, gear knob and glove compartment handle. The steering wheel, gear stick gaiter and handbrake lever are leather bound with grey stitching. The new style seats are upholstered in a novel metallic effect fabric.

The Ibiza FR's racy look complements the performance from its 1.8-litre 20-valve engine. Delivering 150 PS output, the Ibiza FR has a top speed of 135 mph and accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 8.4 seconds, placing this version firmly at the top of the Ibiza range. But excellent performance does not mean excessive fuel consumption. On the extra urban cycle, the Ibiza FR achieves 46 mpg.

For a sportier ride the Ibiza FR's chassis and suspension have been modified. Specialists at the SEAT Technical Centre have introduced stiffer coils, changed the diameter of the front anti-roll bar and modified the way the rear axle is anchored to the chassis. The result is sharper handling with less rocking.

The new Ibiza FR marks the start of the FR concept for SEAT, which will expand to include other models in the range such as Leon.

In future SEAT's sportiest cars will fall into two categories, FR and Cupra. FR models will have distinctive sporty design, high equipment levels, sports chassis and the most potent engines in the range. Cupra models on the other hand will take sportiness and exclusivity a step further. As with current Leon Cupra, future Cupras will be developed and manufactured by SEAT Sport and benefit from all the experience the brand has accumulated in racing over the years.

The Ibiza FR has extended SEAT's performance car offering to the Ibiza range, but it doesn't end there for SEAT's most popular model. Later in 2004 another exciting model will become available - the SEAT Sport-built Ibiza Cupra.