Review of the new SEAT Ibiza FR 1.4 TSI

Sometimes the car at the very pinnacle of a model range isn't the best. In fact, it's very often the case that as the engines get more powerful, high-tech gadgets are thrown in and luxurious add-ons are applied, the actual value proposition takes a turn for the worse. There will always be those who will settle for nothing less than the ultimate model in any given range but they'll never get a sniff of unsung heroes like the SEAT Ibiza FR 1.4 TSI.

In the SEAT trim designation system, the FR models play second fiddle to the Cupra range-toppers. The Cupra is the hot hatch and the FR is merely warm by comparison but next to your common or garden supermini, an FR Ibiza will still seem extremely lively.

SEAT is a brand that really pushes its sporty side. That's the line it's been instructed to tow by its Volkswagen Group paymasters, so the high performance Cupra models are vital for the attention and publicity they generate. At a more accessible price but still with much of the Cupra flavor, the FR tends to account for a larger proportion of actual sales.

The Ibiza FR 1.4 TSI is a car that cosies up very close to the cutting edge of production vehicle design. Not only is it a SEAT Ibiza, one of the first cars to buck the trend for increasingly large and heavy superminis, it also packs one of the most advanced and intriguing engine and gearbox combinations you'll find anywhere. A 1.4-litre engine in a supermini sounds dull but the supercharged and turbocharged engine in the Ibiza FR TSI is anything but. It's a de-tuned version of the 178bhp unit that powers the Cupra, with 148bhp at its disposal. It's enough to get the FR through the 0-60mph trial in 7.7s, just 0.5s down on the Cupra, and on to a 130mph top speed. It's also mated to the seven-speed Volkswagen DSG twin-clutch gearbox. This is the same transmission found on various Audi models and it features wheel-mounted paddle shifters so you can prompt its super-fast shifting like a Formula 1 hero.

"There isn't too much to split the FR and the Cupra but neither is likely to disappoint."

The twin-charger engine in the FR uses a supercharger to increase power and sharpen response at low engine speeds before the turbo kicks in higher up in the rev range. The result is a smooth flow of power and an ultra-flat torque curve that shows the car generating its 220Nm maximum shove from 2,000rpm all the way up to 4,500rpm. The DSG gearbox is equally clever. It uses computer technology to predict the next gear the driver is likely to select and pre-engage it with the second of its two clutches so that an almost instantaneous gear shift occurs when the driver gives the nod. Of course, you can also slot it into automatic mode and let the software figure things out for itself. Either way, it comes across as a seriously slick piece of technology.

The FR is based around the Ibiza's three-door bodystyle that's dubbed Sports Coupe in recognition of its rakish lines and sporty stance. To this framework, the FR adds sports bumpers at the front and rear ends, 17" alloy wheels and an upgraded interior that includes sports seats along with various trim enhancements. The Ibiza runs on the Volkswagen Group's latest small car platform dubbed the 'agile chassis'. The car features a wider front and rear tracks to give it a foursquare, planted stance on the road while the body structure is extremely rigid to enhance the driving dynamics.

The upgrades to the interior of the FR are welcome as in the standard models, the Ibiza's cabin doesn't really have the wow-factor of the exterior lines, despite being very well put together. This isn't one of the roomier superminis around at the moment but the Ibiza three-door does leave the practical stuff to the five-door car, so it's free to focus on looking good. In practice, there's space for a couple of rear seat occupants on short journeys and the boot is reasonable but not spectacular in size.

SEAT is rightly proud of the twin-charger engine and DSG gearbox in the Ibiza FR TSI but that is by no means the extent of the car's technological innovations. Standard fit on all models is the XDS electronic differential system which uses the stability control functionality to mimic the action of a mechanical limited slip differential. All FR models also get sports suspension, air-conditioning and an MP3 compatible CD stereo.

The presence of the DSG system will need to be factored into the price of the Ibiza FR by buyers as the vast majority of rival models don't even have an automatic option. With this taken into account, the asking prices are reasonably competitive compared to key rivals like the Alfa Romeo MiTo 1.4T and the Ford Fiesta Zetec S but many will still see £15,000 as big money for a supermini-based warm hatch. The more expensive Cupra models have a very similar specification but start at around £16,000. There's also an FR TDI that's priced higher than the TSI and makes do with a manual gearbox but offers superior economy.

Further advantages of the 1.4 TSI engine's small capacity come at the pumps where the Ibiza FR can return nearly 45mpg and emits 146g/km of CO2. That's only fractionally better than the more powerful Cupra model, though, which will make the price premium that much easier to stomach. It's unlikely that you'll see these kinds of returns if you use either car's performance potential on a regular basis but it's good to know that economical progress is a possibility. The DSG gearbox is so efficient that it actually improves economy compared to a manual unit.

It's the high-performance Cupra models that dominate the headlines in the SEAT Ibiza range but the FR TSI model adopts a similarly high tech approach, has comparable performance and costs a bit less. For budget-conscious buyers who still want 90% of a Cupra's clout, it might be a sensible option.

The price differential between the FR TSI and the Cupra is £1,000. Both cars have the 1.4 TSI twin-charger engine, DSG twin clutch gearbox and the XDS electronic differential. Both have similar fuel economy but the Cupra has a 30bhp power advantage and is that bit quicker as a result. There isn't too much to split the FR and the Cupra but neither is likely to disappoint.