Seat Bocanegra

With three new performance models in the range, buyers in the market for a hot Ibiza have plenty of choice. Whether the Bocanegra’s styling changes are worth the £700 premium over the Cupra is down to personal taste, but both models are dynamically identical and provide the same performance. SEAT has packed its hot hatch with technology not normally found in cars in this price range, including a twin-charged engine and a double clutch box. Yet the chassis lacks sparkle, and the 1.4-litre engine isn’t that inspiring. While grip is good, the Bocanegra doesn’t have the agility, steering feel or raw pace of class-leading rivals. Plus, some people will miss the control of a regular manual box. Nevertheless, the newcomer is attractive, well priced and solidly built, while emissions and fuel consumption are excellent for a hot hatch.

It’s going to be an Ibiza summer for hot hatch fans. SEAT has taken the wraps off a trio of sporty models, led by the eagerly anticipated Bocanegra flagship.

This will join the FR and Cupra at the top of the supermini line-up, and all three are powered by the VW Group’s 1.4-litre turbo and supercharged TSI engine. But it’s the Bocanegra – Spanish for black mouth, in reference to the car’s glossy front end – that’s aimed at keen drivers.

Based on the 2008 Geneva Motor Show concept of the same name, it delivers an incredible 178bhp. That’s the same as the mechanically identical Cupra model, although the Bocanegra costs £700 more, weighing in at £16,695. The extra buys you unique styling and trim detailing, with black inserts in the rear bumper and a Bocanegra badge. And inside, the sports seats feature red stitching, while special B logos are scattered around the cabin.

The design of the interior is largely unchanged, though, so the layout is attractive. Biggest news for SEAT fans will be the paddleshifters behind the rim of the leather steering wheel – the Bocanegra is available only with the twin-clutch DSG gearbox.

This provides a choice of standard or sport automatic modes, although purists will opt for the manual setting.

It delivers swift and smooth upchanges, while there’s an automated throttle blip to accompany each downward shift.

Overall, we are fans of the system, but still think the DSG will frustrate drivers with its habit of kicking down through the gearbox when the throttle is pushed to the floor in manual mode.

The twin-charged 1.4-litre powerplant has been engineered to sound gruff lower in the revs, but has to be worked hard to deliver its performance. It feels strained higher in the range, so the Bocanegra can be coarse when you’re pushing hard.

The handling could do with more sparkle, too – the electronic XDS system eliminates the need for a mechanical differential by using the stability control to maintain traction, but it’s intrusive. Still, the driver aids ensure safe cornering, and grip out of bends is good.

But the Bocanegra’s chassis doesn’t have the agility and engagement of key rivals such as the new Renaultsport Clio, and you get the sense that the technology has engineered the fun out of this hatch.

Although the car turns in positively, the steering doesn’t offer much in the way of feedback. Body control is good, and while the ride is firm, on smooth roads at least, it isn’t crashy or uncomfortable.

For £1,150 extra, you can also specify a brake upgrade, yet even with this expensive option fitted, stopping power doesn’t feel particularly strong.

Nevertheless, the sharply styled, technology-packed and solidly built Bocanegra makes a decent case for itself. And with the cheaper, but dynamically similar, Cupra and FR going on sale at the same time, there’s plenty of choice when it comes to hot Ibiza fun this summer.