With the third generation, the Ibiza celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2004, fully consolidated as one of the pillars of the SEAT range. The Ibiza III introduced the concept of the "Agile Chassis" and a design that continued along the same lines but was much more attractive… (read more)
Launch: December 2001
End of production: Mid 2009
Price: 14,857 €
Number built: 1,172,504
Diesel, 4 cylinders in-line
Position: At front, transversal
Bore x stroke: 79.5 mm x 95.5 mm
Capacity: 1896 cc
Valve gear: OHC
Fuel system: Direct injection
Power output: 130 HP at 4000 rpm
Max. torque: 310 Nm at 1900 rpm
Top speed: 207 km/h
Drive: FWD
Gearbox: 5-speed manual, plus reverse
Clutch: Dry single-plate
Front suspension:
Independent, McPherson struts, coil springs, hydraulic dampers, anti-roll bar
Rear suspension:
Independiente, torsion beam axle, coil springs, hydraulic dampers, anti-roll bar
Steering: Rack and pinion, power-assisted
Front/rear: Ventilated discs /discs
205/45 R16
Body: 3- or 5-door hatchback, 5 seats
Length/width/height: 3953/1698/1477 mm
Wheelbase: 2462 mm
Weight: 1190 kg
With the third generation, the Ibiza celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2004, fully consolidated as one of the pillars of the SEAT range. The Ibiza III introduced the concept of the "Agile Chassis" and a design that continued along the same lines but was much more attractive.
The SEAT Ibiza III was unveiled at the 2001 Bologna Motor Show in early December and went on sale from 2002 onwards. With a length of 3.96 metres, its image took up the brand's new styling seen in the Arosa II and the Tango concept car, especially at the front.
The design was the work of Walter De Silva, who had taken over SEAT's design direction with the aim of giving the brand its own independent personality within the VW Group. A new brand image embodied in the new SEAT slogan coined in 2001: "SEAT auto emoción".
In this way, the Ibiza III, developed on the new A0 platform, took a major step forward in terms of build quality, engine range and dynamic performance. It was the first SEAT model to incorporate the "Agile Chassis" concept developed at the Martorell Technical Centre under the leadership of engineer Jaume Xifré, the designer of the Selex chassis of the Formula SEAT 1430 in the 1970s.
The "agile" concept of the SEAT Ibiza III chassis gave the car greater agility and dynamism, while increasing the feeling of control, safety and immediacy of response. In short, it made driving more enjoyable.
On the mechanical side, the Ibiza III was unique in that the most powerful engine in the 2002 range was the extraordinary 1.9 TDI, which raised the performance bar for diesel engines to 130 HP.
With this generation, the Ibiza celebrated its 20th birthday in 2004, with more than 3.3 million units produced. To celebrate, two sporty versions were launched that year, the FR (short for Formula Racing), with the 1.9 TDI 130 and 1.8 150 HP turbo petrol engines, and the CUPRA. The latter, in addition to the 180 HP 1.8 T 20v engine, was also available in a CUPRA R version powered by a diesel engine, boosted by SEAT Sport technicians to 160 HP.
The Ibiza III range received a restyling in 2006, with new interior trims and new bumpers. In 2007, the Ecomotive version appeared, with an 80 HP 1.4 TDI engine, which became the most environmentally friendly model in the B-segment, with CO2 emissions of just 99 g/km. The Ibiza III was discontinued in 2009, with more than one million units produced.
The SEAT HISTÓRICOS Collection preserves one of the very first units of the model, registered in December 2001. This yellow three-door car with a 1.9 TDI 130 engine has always been owned by SEAT and was added to the Collection in 2003.
