A FORGOTTEN car brand that’s been sidelined in recent years is set to make a comeback – with refreshed versions of two of its iconic models.
SEAT, the Spanish car brand owned by the Volkswagen Group, has been underpinned by Cupra in recent years.
SEAT are set to refresh the Ibiza and Arona with visual changes, new colours and possibly even mild hybrid drivetrains[/caption]
SEAT has been sidelined in recent years – with Cupra rising above them in terms of sales[/caption]
The sibling brand has emerged as Volkswagen’s preferred Spanish marque, delivering a more premium experience[/caption]
But according to Auto Express, SEAT is set to refresh two of its more popular models, having failed to provide any sort of significant investment to its line-up for a good few years.
It will see the SEAT Arona, their small SUV, and the much-loved Ibiza hatchback, each get facelifts in autumn 2025.
Their report claims these updates will include visual changes, new colours and possibly even mild hybrid drivetrains – although electrification hasn’t been confirmed.
SEAT hasn’t updated its cars since the Arona and Ibiza each got facelifts back in 2021.
During this period, Cupra has emerged as Volkswagen’s preferred Spanish marque, delivering a more premium experience.
Indeed, its success has been so significant that it has now surpassed SEAT in sales, with models like the Formentor and Tavascan becoming big sellers, while the Born is seen as a main player in the EV hatchback segment – along with the upcoming Raval.
To that end, Cupra’s positioning as a stylish and edgy brand has enabled higher profit margins, helping offset the costs of electric vehicle development.
This in turn has seen the VW Group focus more on Cupra and SEAT is still receiving investments, this is mainly for updates to keep existing models competitive.
The Ateca SUV, for example, appears to be deprioritised.
SEAT, though, also faces challenges in transitioning to electric vehicles due to its lower profit margins and the brand may struggle to adapt to the 2035 combustion engine ban without a significant financial loss.
Earlier this year, Auto Express also reported that SEAT’s struggles to maintain profitability and develop new models, particularly small electric cars – seen as crucial for its future – meant its way forward was unclear.
Their inability to make costs work for a small electric car has left them without new models in the pipeline -which now means its future could hinge on these revised versions of the Ibiza and Arona.
Substantial discounts on the upcoming Arona and Ibiza models may also help boost sales and keep SEAT relevant, with some car buying services offering discounts of over £6,000 on new models to order – taking the price of the Ibiza below £15,000.
This comes as VW look set to give its next generation of EVs some of its most famous nameplates – starting with the ID Polo.
The upcoming motor, based on the affordable ID 2all concept, will be the first EV to carry the Polo name – one of their most famous and recognisable models.
It doesn’t just end with the Polo either, as popular Volkswagen names like Golf, Tiguan and Passat will also be getting the ID treatment.
Many will see this as a strong departure from its recent trend of naming EVs with a bland and confusing numeric system – such as ID 3, ID 4 and ID 7.
Instead, the company will use familiar names that are firmly anchored in public memory – in a bid to help signify the EV successors of popular models.
Then, the ID Golf will be the successor to the ID 3, the ID Tiguan will come after the ID 4 and the ID Passat will be the successor to the ID 7.
Furthermore, the ID Every1, a supermini, may become the ID Up or even the ID Lupo.
A crossover sibling to the Polo has also been lined up called the ID Cross – an electric counterpart to the T-Cross.