1984 was the year Apple launched its first Mac computer and the compact disc was beginning to gain traction. It was an important year for Seat as well, as on April 27, the Spanish automaker launched the first Ibiza, which turned out to be the most successful model in the company’s history.

With almost 5 million units sold in 30 years over four generations, the Seat Ibiza is by far the automaker best-selling vehicle and has been the top-selling model in its segment in Spain since 2001. To celebrate the three decades of Ibiza, Seat will launch a special anniversary model at the end of June.

Launched at the Paris motor show in 1984, the Ibiza marked the beginning of the brand’s international expansion, with the 69 percent of all Ibizas produced (roughly 3.5 million units) being sold overseas, in more than 75 countries. The most important markets for the Ibiza during the early years were Italy, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Portugal and Mexico, in addition to Spain. At launch, the approximate price of the Seat Ibiza was 825,000 pesetas (€4,950). At today’s prices that would be €15,620.

The Seat Ibiza was the first vehicle designed and developed in its entirety by the company. For the first-generation model (1984-1993), Seat collaborated with Italdesign, the company of the Italian designer Giorgio Giugiaro, with Karmann for the development of the bodywork, and with Porsche for the technology of the “System Porsche” engines. The Seat Ibiza was the official car at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.

The second-generation model (1993-2002) marked a clear aesthetic leap that again bore the hallmark of Giugiaro. The lines were rounded and aerodynamic, with a superior level of equipment and mechanical sophistication. The second-generation Ibiza was the first model in its segment to be equipped with a 90-hp TDI engine.

The third generation Ibiza (2002-2008) was designed by Walter de’Silva, the current head of design at the Volkswagen Group. The new model took another step forward in manufacture quality, engine range and dynamic performance. De’Silva introduced a more attractive aesthetics, marked by agility. This was the “Agile Chassis” concept developed by Seat’s Technical Center in Martorell.

The current generation of the Ibiza (2008-) is the work of Luc Donckerwolke, who at the time, was head of design at Seat. He introduced for the first time ever the concept of “Arrow Design” on the front end of the vehicle, resulting in a sportier model, thanks to the use of very marked geometric lines. The fourth-generation Ibiza was the first model in its segment to have ESP (electronic stability control) as standard across the entire range.

By Dan Mihalascu

Sales by generation:

Ibiza I, 1984-1993: 1,308,461 units
Ibiza II, 1993-2002: 1,522,607 units
Ibiza III, 2002-2008: 1,221,200 units
Ibiza IV, 2008-to date: 924,183 units

PHOTO GALLERY



VIDEO