The SEAT Ibiza turns 40 and celebrates it with the special FR Aniversario trim

Visitors to the 1984 Paris Motor Show were the first to see the launch of a new model from SEAT, the Ibiza. Without knowing it yet, they were witnessing the birth of an iconic model for the brand, whose exterior design was handled by Giugiaro, while Karmann took care of the interior and even received Porsche assistance in developing its engine.

Since then the SEAT Ibiza has five generations behind it, of which more than six million units have been sold in numerous countries around the world. In fact, the Ibiza gave the brand a great boost, as it became a global model. Across these five generations, it has also produced versions that are today highly prized by brand enthusiasts and motoring fans in general.

Now, this year the SEAT Ibiza celebrates its 40th anniversary, and the brand wants to mark it, as it could not be otherwise, with a special trim, specifically the FR Aniversario trim, which will feature exclusive details. Looking first at the exterior, the Ibiza FR Aniversario comes with bodywork painted in Graphene Grey, a colour not available in its standard range, combined with 18-inch alloy wheels, which are normally optional, painted in Cosmo Grey. To remind everyone this is a special edition, its B-pillars feature the “Anniversary Limited Edition” emblem laser-engraved.

The FR trim has always been synonymous with sportiness, and SEAT has chosen to include as standard equipment on this FR Aniversario trim bucket front seats, which offer greater grip for the occupants without sacrificing comfort and are upholstered in fabric. In addition, the inserts on the centre console and door panels are now in the new matt dark aluminium finish, and the door sills feature the “Anniversary Limited Edition” emblem laser-engraved.

Today, the FR trim for the SEAT Ibiza is built around three packs, FR XS, FR XM and FR XL, but the brand does not specify which of them serves as the basis for this special FR Aniversario trim. Even so, looking at the FR XS trim, there is already interesting standard equipment, with items such as:

• City emergency braking Front Assist
• Tyre pressure sensor
• ISOFIX with Top Tether
• Hill start assist
• Driver fatigue detection
• Cruise control
• Curtain airbags
• Lane departure warning system
• EcoLED headlights
• Fog lights
• 60/40 split-folding rear seats
• FR-specific bumper
• Black interior roof
• Ambient lighting
• LED rear lights
• Electrically folding exterior mirrors
• Dual-zone automatic air conditioning
• SEAT Drive Profile

Mechanically, SEAT has not specified whether there will be only one engine available either, although it is understandable that the FR Aniversario trim can be chosen with the two petrol engines available for the FR trims. First, we have the 1.0 TSI 110 CV engine paired with a six-speed manual gearbox, while second, there is the more powerful option with the 1.5 TSI 150 CV, which in this case is paired with a seven-speed automatic gearbox.

We will also have to wait to find out the price of the SEAT Ibiza FR Aniversario, though not for long, as the brand has confirmed it will be available during the first quarter of 2024.

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackSEAT Ibiza14 versions · from 18,520 €