The SEAT Ibiza GTI was the highest version of the Ibiza's second generation launch line-up, from March 1993. It was powered by a naturally-aspirated 115 HP 2.0 engine, although its character was not radically sporty but rather quiet.

The Ibiza II was a historical model in the SEAT chronology, since it was the first one manufactured in the new Martorell plant, opened in February 1993. Designed by Giorgio Giugiaro (as the first generation), in close collaboration with the Martorell Design Center, the aesthetic leap was evident. The lines were more rounded and aerodynamic, and the Ibiza II enjoyed an equipment and mechanical sophistication reserved at the time to vehicles of higher-end segments.

After the SEAT Toledo, the Ibiza II was the second car developed entirely in the Martorell Technical Center and already within the VW Group. Like the Toledo, it enjoyed a wide variety of power trains, initially crowned by the 2-litre block that also powered the Toledo. There was no other segment B supermini powered by a bigger engine, even if others were more powerful. The GTI was available with the two Ibiza bodies, 3 and 5 doors.

It could be argued that the jump from Ibiza I to Ibiza II was the largest among the car's five generations to date. The car grew by nearly 20 centimetres, and premiered a specific platform not yet used by any model of the group.

Discretion and sobriety presided over the aesthetics of the Ibiza GTI. On the outside, only the red "GTI" logo on the grill, reminiscent of the previous Ibiza SXI, stood out. The most striking feature were the inscriptions "EFI Electronic Fuel Injection" in the lower part of the doors and "Power Steering" on the back. Inside, the dashboard was totally new and very functional. A sober "GTI" logo in red indicated that this was the top-of-the-range in the early Ibiza II line-up.

SEAT Sport also took advantage of the Ibiza II's launch to completely renew the brand's presence in the Spanish Gravel Rally Championship. From 1994, the one-make Cup contested during the previous seven years with the Marbella went on to be run with the Ibiza 2.0 GTI. The cars were fitted with a SEAT Sport kit, although the engine was strictly standard.

Because of its low cost, high prizes and the performance potential of the car, the Ibiza Cup was the most rewarding motorsport formula. The Gravel Cup was run for three years with the Ibiza 2.0 GTI, before moving in 1997 to the GTI 16v. The latter had given life in 1995 to an Ibiza Tarmac Cup, which also in 1997 went on to be run with the new Ibiza CUPRA.

Indeed, in September 1994 another sportier GTI had arrived, powered by a 1.8 16v 130 HP twin-cam engine and placed above the GTI 2.0. Two years later, in October 1996, the 1.8 16v gave way to the first Ibiza CUPRA. That year SEAT had made its full-time debut in the World Rally Championship, and to celebrate the fight for the first Ibiza Kit Car WRC title in the 2-Litre category the brand launched the Ibiza CUPRA at the Paris Motorshow. The CUPRA was powered by the 2.0 16v 150 HP engine, and was available only with the 3-door body.

The success of the Ibiza CUPRA strengthened the CUPRA name as synonymous with performance and exclusivity in the SEAT family. For its part, the GTI 2.0 remained on sale until the 1999 Ibiza II restyling. With it the acronym "GTI" disappeared from the SEAT line-up. It was eventually replaced by the new "FR" designation in the 2004 Ibiza III, since the CUPRA versions moved on a higher level.

SEAT HISTÓRICOS keeps this red-coloured, 3-door Ibiza GTI, one of the very first units ever produced, with its distinctive 3-double arms alloy wheels.

Famous road racing cyclist Stephen Roche took part in the 1994 Monte-Carlo Rally driving this Group N SEAT Ibiza GTI.