SEAT Córdoba
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The SEAT Córdoba is the saloon version of the supermini SEAT Ibiza, built by Spanish automaker SEAT since 1993.
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[edit] Córdoba Mk. I (1993–2002)
The first SEAT Córdoba was launched in the summer of 1993, penned by Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro and based on the chassis of the SEAT Ibiza which would spawn the new VW Polo the following year. It was equipped with a large boot, had decent levels of specification and was competitively-priced.
Its 1.4, 1.6 and 2.0 petrol engines were also found in the Volkswagen Polo and Ibiza, as was the 1.9 TDI. Though based on the Polo and Ibiza, it was actually closer in size to a Golf.
In 1996 the Córdoba range was extended to an estate (Córdoba Vario) and a coupé (Córdoba SX).
SEAT raced the Córdoba 16v in international rallies where it enjoyed considerable success.
[edit] Rebadges
The contemporary Volkswagen Polo Classic (saloon) and Variant (estate) were in fact rebadged versions of the Córdoba, and not based on the hatchback.
In South Africa, the SEAT Ibiza hatchback was sold as the VW Polo Playa.
FAW-Volkswagen, VW's Chinese subsidary assembled and sold the Mk1 Cordoba under the City-Golf name in 1996.
The City-Golf had the Cordoba rear and front design not the European / South American versions which helped distinguish the SEAT Cordoba from the Volkswagen Derby|Polo Classic/Derby models.
[edit] Córdoba SX
The Córdoba SX was a 2-door coupé version of the Córdoba. It came in four variants. A 1.6 100bhp, 1.9TD, 2.0 8V (Cupra) which has the same engine as the Cordoba GTi and a 2.0 16v. The 16v 150bhp ABF engine is identical to the engine found in the MK3 Golf GTi. The 16v SX also came with 16" multispoke alloys, 280mm front discs, ABS, traction control and air conditioning as standard. The model was slightly revised in 1998 with a new rear splitter which required the exhaust to be hidden, a revised front lower grill and splitter and leather interior became standard.
The Córdoba 16v, however, was not as popular as the Ibiza Cupra 16v due to being £1000GBP more expensive at list and 1 second slower 0-60 because of the added weight of the rear end.
In 2000 the Córdoba was face lifted, and the 16v ABF engine was replaced with a 1.8 155bhp Turbo engine and joined the Cupra range. However the SX was no longer available in the UK and limited numbers are known to exist in southern Ireland in right hand drive format but only in a 100bhp 1.6 8v model. This decision was made based on the poor sales performance of the phase 1 SX. A coupé version of the MK2 Cordoba was never produced, Seat instead choosing to advance its sport models in the Ibiza and Leon ranges.
[edit] Córdoba Mk. II (2002–present)
Although the second generation of the SEAT Córdoba was entirely new, it was again the saloon version of the Ibiza hatchback; this time there would be no estate or coupe versions. The new Córdoba also shared its chassis and engines (1.4 ,1.6, two sport engines - 1.8 16valve GTI and 2.0 GTI petrol, and 1.9 TDI turbo-diesels with 100 or 130bhp) with the VW Polo IV and Škoda Fabia. Again, it had a large boot and spacious interior. But other than that, the Córdoba was virtually identical to the Ibiza hatchback with all of its twin's positive and negative points.
Saloons based on successful hatchbacks rarely become a sales success, and the SEAT Córdoba has done little to change that. It is to Seat what the Jetta and Vento were to Volkswagen and what the Orion was to Ford.
 Image of the Seat Córdoba Mk2 model 2004 — side view |
 Image of the Seat Córdoba Mk2 model 2004 — front view |
 Image of the Seat Córdoba Mk2 model 2004 — rear view |
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