Seat feels like the neglected child of the VW Group, but the company didn’t forget to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Ibiza compact hatch. The 2024 Seat Ibiza Anniversary Limited Edition will be available in the first quarter of 2024, featuring a few special touches and generous equipment.
Visually, the model is distinguished by the exclusive Graphene Grey shade, the new 18-inch alloy wheels which are finished in Cosmo Gray, and the “Anniversary Limited Edition” logo on the B-pillar. Interior upgrades are centered around a new pair of textile bucket seats, combined with dark aluminum matt accents and anniversary lettering on the side sills.
More: Seat To Make Room For Cupra, Focusing On Mobility Solutions Instead Of Cars
The company didn’t mention any changes on the chassis or under the hood, meaning that the anniversary special will most likely be powered by the tried-and-tested 1.0 TSI three-cylinder gasoline engine which makes up to 109 hp (81 kW / 110 PS) in its most potent form. Interior shots reveal that the pictured example is equipped with the DSG automatic, sending power to the front wheels.
Seat didn’t say how many units of the Ibiza Anniversary Limited Edition are planned for European markets, with its detailed specs and pricing set to be announced shortly.
The Best-Selling Seat, Named After An Island
Since its introduction back in 1984, Seat has sold more than 6 million units of the Ibiza, which is the most successful nameplate in the brand’s history. The original Ibiza, named after the island of Ibiza, was penned by Giugaro, with Karmann being responsible for the interior, and Porsche undertaking the powertrain development.
The current fifth generation of the Ibiza debuted in 2017 and received a subtle facelift in 2021. The MQB-based supermini is a sibling of the VW Polo and the Skoda Fabia, while it also shares its underpinnings with the Seat Arona small SUV.
Seat is destined to become a mobility-focused brand within the VW Group, as the much more profitable Cupra stole the limelight (and all of the R&D funds) from the parent company. According to the latest reports, Seat won’t be launching any new models, meaning that the Ibiza, Arona, Leon, Ateca, and Tarraco will be discontinued after the end of their current lifecycles.
Despite the bad omens, Seat CEO, Wayne Griffiths, remains optimistic, describing the current Seat range as “the best in its history”. Griffiths added that the brand “is now stronger than ever”, citing a 24% increase in sales in 2023 (288,400 units) thanks to the ease of the semiconductor shortages.
