SOMETIMES it's those little extra touches that persuade the motorist to hand over their cash for a particular car.

Spanish manufacturer Seat is only too aware of this, and is rather good at dressing up its stable of sporty offerings.

You can buy an Ibiza hatchback with 80mpg average fuel economy and very ordinary acceleration.

Alternatively, you can plump for a 'hot' Cupra version that will hit 62mph from standstill in under seven seconds.

But if that's a little too hot for your tastes, then the warm-hatch credentials of the FR version might fit the bill.

And if you still want to give the impression that your set of wheels is as hot as the next, then the FR Black Edition might be the default choice.

Let me start by saying that, despite the moniker, there was not too much of the black stuff on my test car.

The FR Black Edition comes with gloss black door mirrors, black wheels and a black front grille frame, but the body colour was the sexy Emocion red. Other colours available are white, silver, grey and... not surprisingly... black.

There's a choice of two petrol engines - 1.2-litre 105PS or 1.4-litre 140PS, which has to be the one to go for if you want the performance to match the look.

This higher-powered engine also comes with the active cylinder technology usually found in more expensive cars. It alternates between two and four cylinder modes, depending on the power required, in less than 40 milliseconds and helps the FR Black Edition achieve a remarkable average fuel consumption figure of 60mpg.

With this version you also gets red brake callipers peering through those 16-inch black alloys, while both versions come with Alcantara-upholstered sports seats and dark tinted rear windows, and both are available as a three or five-door.

The seating and the chassis set-up provide for a firm but not uncomfortable ride, and there's enough urgency in the performance to hold your interest as you make your way around urban and country roads.

An important factor in the Ibiza's behaviour is its steering, which delivers a good balance of weight, accuracy and assistance. It is beautifully judged, and matched with an excellent gearbox makes for assured progress in most situations.

You can attack corners with considerable enthusiasm, with the result that your confidence remains high and you never feel tired, bashed or bruised after a journey.

A wide track, good weight distribution and low overall mass regardless of the model are all essential to deliver a composed and engaging driving experience, and the Ibiza does not disappoint. At the front, McPherson struts deliver the control and insulation required for high levels of performance, helped by lightweight bearings. A one-piece sub-frame reduces noise and vibration passing into the cabin.

FR and CUPRA versions have ventilated discs all round with larger 288 mm discs at the front.

With its distinctive sharp lines and squat stance, the Ibiza is a classy-looking hatchback that's neither brash nor a plain Jane.

Seat knows that the ownership experience is about more than just the driving, which is why the Ibiza Black FR with the 1.4 engine comes with a generous level of standard kit.

This includes cruise control, sports suspension, rain-sensing wipers, a multimedia system offering navigation, Bluetooth phone connection, audio streaming, DAB radio and a trip computer.

All Ibiza models are equipped with a rolling code immobiliser and remote central locking, while all the doors and rear hatch have deadlocks. There are also child locks on the rear doors.

Buyers in the supermini segment are generally looking for the most cost-effective motoring possible - maximum practicality with minimal fuss and low running costs. That’s exactly what the Ibiza offers.

There's probably too much grey-black plastic on show along the dashboard, and the digital display could do with an update, but other than that there is very little on my wishlist. The speedometer ought to highlight 30mph rather than 40mph, and there was no hook to hang clothing in the rear.

Fun, engaging and a good-looker in equal measure, the Ibiza FR Black Edition provides another fine example of Seat's ability to create cars that people will really want to drive.

Seat Ibiza FR Black

Price: £16,845
Engine: Four-cylinder 1.4-litre TSI petrol, producing 140PS
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Performance: 0 to 62mph in 7.8 seconds; top speed 130mph
Economy: 60.1mpg combined
CO2 emissions: 109g/km