THE new, sportily styled SEAT Ibiza is the latest generation of the model which has become firmly established as the Spanish car maker's best seller.
There are three trim levels available, S, SE and Sport and three petrol engines from which to choose, 1.2-litre, 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre, while further additions of two diesels are due in 2009. Driven here is the 1.4-litre in SE form which SEAT expects to top the buyers' popularity poll.
The look of the new Ibiza five-door is distinctly dynamic, its sporting style is highlighted by the design of the nose while the eye-shaped headlights which flank the neat-looking radiator grille are set lower to help emphasise the arrowhead effect which is a major characteristic of this new car.
Also helping to promote the aggressively dynamic look of the Ibiza are robust rear shoulders and mildly flared front wheel arches plus a striking shoulder line that rises above the rear wheel arches bestowing a much stronger look to the rear of the car.
SEAT's trademark dynamic line running lengthwise is effective in helping to add more balance to the car's youthful image to which the designers have added further emphasis by locating the door mirrors beneath the front windows.
The new Ibiza is more than four and a half inches longer overall than the outgoing model and over an inch wider tracking front and rear have helped the newcomer adopt a much more planted stance.
These dimensions have translated into a cabin which, while perhaps still a little tight in the rear, seats two sizeable adults with ease in the back seats and an eight per cent boost in the boot over the outgoing model provides an extra 25-litres of stowage space realising a quite respectable 292-litres of luggage area.
Cabinside fit and finish is good with plenty of nice quality tactile plastic and fabrics while functionality and design have come together to deliver a driver-friendly dashboard in a hooded binnacle containing a pair of large circular dials.
The centre console is neatly set out with sound system controls sensibly placed above the climate control buttons while SEAT have also provided a dock for a TomTom sat nav system.
As you would expect in a car with sporting propensity, the emphasis is on the driver.
Paired with a smooth-shifting five-speed manual gearchange the 83bhp 16-valver spins very sweetly, a quietly smooth operator that will take you and yours from 0-62mph in an acceptable 12.2 seconds, while there is more than 45mpg available in average use.
The new Ibiza delivers a comfortable ride in all parts. Mounted on Volkswagen's new supermini platform, which is due to be used in the new VW Polo and Audi A1, it handles extremely well, responding sharply and accurately to the precise power steering.
The latest five-door SEAT Ibiza is yet another fine effort from the Spanish car maker adding a further touch of class to the supermini sector where it should continue to give a very good account of itself.
FAST FACTS
SEAT Ibiza SE 1.4
Price: £10,375
Mechanical: 83bhp, 1,390cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 108mph
0-62mph: 12.2
Combined mpg: 45.6
Insurance group: 3
CO2 emissions: 149g/km
BiK rating: 16%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles, 3yrs paint, 12ys anti-rust
Words: Malcolm Robertshaw