Badges have long been important on cars. The difference between a L and GXL meant everything for a Cortina’s car park kudos in the early ’70s, and the introduction of performance badges such as RS would add a new halo level to the hierarchy. Now, those performance monikers are so desirable that they’ve commonly been adopted as watered-down trim level to give lesser models an extra dose of cred – ST-line, R-line, AMG-line and so on. In some cases, they’ve even become brands in their own right.
Here though, we’re looking at performance badges in their full-fat form, celebrating with a closer look at the cars that were – in most cases – the first to feature them. Some were gentler introductions, while some became icons. Nevertheless, there’s certainly no shortage of talent and desirability amongst this group, so read on for some motoring greats.
SEAT IBIZA CUPRA
Since 2018, Cupra has been a performance brand in its own right, leaving the future of the SEAT badge looking somewhat uncertain. Current Cupra models are capable and entertaining, but the use of the name all started rather modestly. The first car to boast the sporting moniker dates back to 1996 and it was introduced to celebrate SEAT winning the FIA 2-litre World Rally Cup. The second-generation Ibiza already had a GTi version but the model here - badged GTI Cupra Sport - raised the game by employing the 150bhp 16-valve 2.0-litre engine from the Mk3 Golf GTI. There had already been a 16-valve Ibiza GTI, but it had the 1.8-litre engine.
The new motor bought some welcome extra punch to the supermini with 0-62mph ticked off in 7.6 seconds and a top speed of 134mph. Alongside modest upgrades to the suspension and brakes, it put the new model right in the heart
