SEAT Ibiza celebrates its 40th anniversary this year! This is historic model for SEAT, the very first in the Volkswagen era, and one that should allow it to restore and modernize its image, which was aging at the time. Let’s go back a little… In 1950, Franco created the Spanish Automobile Society de Turismo., to offer Spaniards a way to travel at a lower cost. A thirty-year technological partnership has been established with Fiat (Russians (Lada), Poles (FSO) and Yugoslavs (Zastava) will also turn to the Italian for the development of their automotive industry). The first production SEAT, the 1400, was produced in 1953, and is modeled after the Fiat model of the same name. Until 1980, when the agreements with the Italian ended, SEATs were identical (or almost) to Fiat (600, 850, 124, 126, Panda). With a few exceptions, viz 1200/1430 Sport “Bocanegra”.

Ibiza, the one that saved SEAT

To modernize its image in the 80s, when the agreements with the Italians were broken, SEAT is approaching Volkswagen to develop a new model to replace the Fura (formerly SEAT 127). The German group allows it to take over the Polo prototype designed by Giugiaro, which was not chosen: this is how the SEAT Ibiza was born, launched in 1984. So it could be called the Polo if Volkswagen accepted the offer! This is what allowed the brand to gain momentum and export it to other European countries, which of course was helped by the striking power of Volkswagen (which became the majority shareholder of SEAT two years later, in 1986). 40 years later, Ibiza is still there. This is already the fifth generation and still remains SEAT’s bestseller, p since 1984, more than 6 million units have been sold.

40 years worth celebrating!

Pay homage to this “grandmother”, but for nowShe will be 40 years old this year^d candleSEAT offers its Ibiza limited edition, which is called “Anniversary Limited Edition” (in English, not Spanish). The specifics of this version are quite subtle, but we note, for example, the adoption of a gray shade Graphene graywith Wheels 18 inches, and a special plate built into the thresholds. On board, the cloth bucket seats are specific, and the instrument panel and doors have dark aluminum inserts. SEAT specifies that this version will offer new equipment and will be presented in the first quarter of 2024. Well, it doesn’t break three legs compared to the production Ibiza, but at least it has advantages to bow to her distant old man who appeared 4 decades ago…

Read also:

The compact Cupra will be called Reval

Cupra Tavscan: the most attractive electric SUV?

Poland chooses the Chinese for its electrification