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To celebrate the 30th anniversary of its Ibiza model, SEAT is taking a radical design study to the Austrian Wörthersee show later this month. Called the Cupster, it aims to compete with dramatic show cars from elsewhere within the Volkswagen Group, such as the bonkers, 192mph Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept.
The Cupster - presumably a portmanteau of 'speedster' and 'Cupra', which itself is a portmanteau of... oh, forget it! - is based on the 180hp 1.4-litre Ibiza Cupra DSG model, with a lower and wider body than the production car. It has just two seats and no roof, while the front windscreen has been junked for the dramatic wraparound 'strip window' that dominates the car's appearance. The seats are also 80mm lower than in the conventional Cupra and it runs on 18-inch alloys.
Inside, we have a steering wheel swathed in pure aniline leather and a cabin inspired by the Ibiza Trophy race car - think minimalist dials and Alcantara for the bucket seats. The colour outside is a custom New Orange paintjob with a dark grey cover for the 'double-bubble' area behind the cabin.
Anything else?
"The Ibiza has always been the heart of SEAT - a young, dynamic car with an emotional design, a good head for the practical things in life and excellent value for money," says Jürgen Stackmann, president of SEAT. "At Wörthersee, we are celebrating the anniversary of our most successful model with the unique Ibiza Cupster."
Matt Robinson - 21 May 2014