A HIGH-performance version of every SEAT passenger car model is to be made available in Britain as part of a plan to boost sales. Cupra badging is to be given prominence as the company seeks wider acceptance in sports motoring circles in a bid to boost its share of the UK market. The 'go-faster' treatment will be central to a move to upgrade the image of the brand and will even include the Arosa supermini and Alhambra multi-purpose vehicle, said SEAT UK product marketing manager Carlos Lopez.

He was speaking in Barcelona as the company unveiled prototypes of the next Ibiza and Cordoba Cupra cars which will become available as the standard cars enter showrooms later this year. 'Slingshot' versions of the next-generation Ibiza are likely to use the Volkswagen Group's new 1.8-litre 20-valve turbocharged engine instead of the current car's eight and 16-valve 2.0 litre units. The smaller motor will offer higher output - 156bhp compared with the 16v's 150bhp - and also be more fuel-efficient.