Seat Ibiza

1:40pm Saturday 9th August 2008

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SEAT, whose aim is to put fun and flair into motoring, has special reason to celebrate the launch of the new Ibiza because it’s the first car in the giant VW group to use a new platform which will form the basis of the Polo.

The old chassis was showing its age against some newer rivals in the handling and composure stakes.

SEAT, whose aim is to put fun and flair into motoring, has special reason to celebrate the launch of the new Ibiza

Roy Lewis

However, the new one allows Seat’s supermini to be more agile and controlled.

With two distinct chassis settings – for comfort and sport – the new Ibiza rides far better, not only on smooth surfaces but over rough routes. And the handling is very good with the car having a tenacious grip on the tightest of corners even if the speed-sensitive steering does lack a little feel.

The car stops well, too, with the ABS braking being more than man enough for the job.

Although the five-door car gets the new platform and a host of other worthwhile updates, it keeps two well-proven petrol engines, the 1.2-litre 12-valve with 70PS and the 1.4 litre 16-valve with 85PS. The 1.6-litre 16-valve with 105PS is new.

However, the engine range, all with five-speed gearboxes, will expand with new diesel power next year while the sports coupe is making its debut at this year’s London Motor Show.

Prices go from £8,995 for the 1.2 to £11,295 for the 1.6.

What the new platform also does is to give the Ibiza a longer wheelbase and a slightly wider track which makes for improved interior space. The car is lighter and, together with other advances, the emissions and fuel economy are better.

With fuel prices continuing to soar, the lively 1.2-litre should prove popular. It’s a lively and competent all-rounder, although the 1.4-litre with its quicker engine and quieter cruising ability is predicted to be the biggest seller. There are three different levels of specification – S, SE and Sport.

The Ibiza, Seat’s best-selling model in the UK and worldwide, can boast attractive looks and this is partly due to a more aggressive front end which emphasises the car’s sporty nature.

The good build quality is evident throughout and this is endorsed by the car having gained the top five-star rating in the Euro NCAP safety tests. The Ibiza also offers the reassuring safety options of an electronic stability programme across the range while the hold control function maintains the vehicle’s position for starting on steep slopes – another feature not often found on small cars.

Other important options are bi-xenon headlamps that swivel to help you see around corners, rear parking sensors, climate control with air-condtioning, a radio-integrated Bluetooth connection and the useful pre-installation on the dash of a dock to connect a portable satnav system.

Prospective purchasers can also look forward to the availability of VW’s seven-speed DSG gearbox for use with the 1.6-litre.

For a small car the Ibiza offers good interior comfort with well-tailored upholstery and a driver’s seat that offers plenty of adjustment. The dash is well laid-out although the instruments with fairly deep cowls are not so easy to read at a glance in poor light.

The cabin is roomy and airy while in the rear, space is generous, though six-footers will find leg room restricted if the front seats are set back. The benefits of the longer wheelbase also extend to the boot which is spacious for a supermini.

The wealth of improvements are significant and put the car right up among the leading contenders in this hugely-popular sector which includes the Renault Clio, Peugeot 207, Vauxhall Corsa and Ford Fiesta. For sheer value for money the Ibiza is hard to beat.