SEAT Ibiza Bocanegra vs rivals

Is this the car that will help SEAT nose ahead of hot hatch rivals? The Bocanegra pays homage to the first model to be developed from the ground up by the brand.

The 1200 Sport launched in 1975, and was nicknamed Bocanegra – Spanish for black mouth – due to its integrated black front bumper. Now, 35 years later, SEAT has applied the badge to the Ibiza Cupra – and the newcomer gets a unique bumper, with honeycomb grille and vents, finished in menacing black.

At the back, it’s marked out by dark inserts in the exhaust and a bold Bocanegra badge. Similar details feature inside, although the car is the same under the skin as the Cupra. Powered by the VW Group’s twin-charged 1.4-litre TSI unit, that model featured in our Performance Car of the Year 2009 shoot-out. Now, its flashier brother takes on two of the most talented hot hatches ever.

The Renaultsport Clio 200 is fresh from a mid-life update, and remains the benchmark for driver thrills. But if the Bocanegra is to attract image-conscious customers, it must beat the MINI Cooper S, too. Read on to see if the fresh-faced SEAT has what it takes to top the class.

The contenders

Renaultsport Clio 200

* Price: £17,481

* Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl, 197bhp

* 0-60mph: 8.2 seconds

* AE economy: 28.9mpg

* Claimed CO2: 195g/km

* Why: The Clio sets the hot hatch benchmark for driver thrills – and the recent update has made it better than ever!

SEAT Ibiza Bocanegra

* Price: £17,245

* Engine: 1.4-litre 4cyl, 178bhp

* 0-60mph: 6.7 seconds

* AE economy: 34.0mpg

* Claimed CO2: 148g/km

* Why: It’s mechanically identical to the hot Ibiza Cupra, but the new Bocanegra gets a dash more style. Is it worth the extra outlay?

MINI Cooper S

* Price: £17,015

* Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 173bhp

* 0-60mph: 7.1 seconds

* AE economy: 29.5mpg

* Claimed CO2: 149g/km

* Why: The Cooper S continues to serve up storming pace, as well as quality and style, in a classic, retro-inspired package.