The SEAT Ibiza is considered Spanish manufacturer’s most popular car. Produced since 1984, the Ibiza has been built using Italdesign, Karmann and Porsche designs and later using Volkswagen Group’s platforms. All four generations have been consistent bestsellers among SEAT’s lines.
The Ibiza was first introduced at the 1984 Paris Motor Show as a supermini. This version, originally designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro for Volkswagen Golf, was based on the SEAT Ronda and Fiat Ritmo. In 1991 under Volkswagen management, the Ibiza received a facelift and was marketed as New style. A rebadged Chinese version was sold beginning 2003.
In 1993, the second generation Ibiza was released with a new VW A03 platform. The saloon and coupe variants were renamed the SEAT Cordoba, and the estate the Cordoba Vario. A minor facelift in 1996 introduced smoother bumpers, grilles and new trim levels. Another facelift in 1999 brought new styling changes, turning the Ibiza into a sporty and upscale brand placed above VW’s newly acquired Skoda Auto models. An Ibiza hot hatch was introduced into the line around the period.
The third generation released in 2002 featured a restyling by Walter de Silva. The current generation Ibiza Mk4 was designed by Luc Donckerwolke, and carries a distinctly new look. It is the first VW model to use the VW Group PQ25 platform.
