THE thinking behind the Seat Ibiza FR Red Edition could not be more simple.

The Spanish car-maker has added a red colour pack combining exterior and interior red highlights with metallic paint as standard.

In addition to the regular FR trim you also get 17-inch ‘Dynamic’ machined alloy wheels with red accents, red door mirrors, red front grille frame, dark tinted rear windows, red interior pack, red seatbelts, red air vent surrounds and red steering wheel trim.

If you like red, you'll love the striking look.

This cosmetic exercise comes on top of some more important changes elsewhere to bring the hatchback bang up to date.

The youthful Ibiza has had a few nips and tucks on the outside and its cabin has benefited from new materials, a resculpted dashboard and increased technology. There’s also some new engines to choose from and tweaked suspension aimed at improving the ride quality.

Compared with the 2012 model the exterior is distinguished mostly by LED daytime running lights, LED tail lights and new alloy wheel options.

In the front there’s a good driving position, while legroom and headroom are ample. It's not so rosy in the back, where it is a squeeze to accommodate three adults. Boot space remains at 292 litres which means it can cope with most demands.

FR trim is reserved for the higher-performance engines in the Ibiza range (100 PS and upwards), reflecting the sportiness inherent in the black and red lettering. All FR cars come with more aggressive front and rear bumpers and alloy wheels. On the inside, FR badging and red stitching for the leather steering wheel adds a touch of sportiness, as do the very supportive sports seats. Sports suspension is standard, and all FR models come with the Seat Portable System Live.

When the Ibiza was first unveiled it was the first car in any class to offer a simple, integrated satellite navigation solution via a small docking station built into the dash. The simple system came at a time when satellite navigation systems were an expensive in-car option.

First seen in the Mii, the Seat Portable System was updated in 2013 and is now called Seat Portable System Live to reflect a significant ream of updates. For example, the system can give live weather and traffic information using mobile phone data, can collect local speed camera information, and can use Google data to give information on local points of interest.

All information is displayed and controlled via a high-resolution five-inch colour touchscreen, which docks quickly and easily with the Ibiza via a dedicated mount that can be covered neatly when the system isn’t in place. The unit’s slim design belies the amount of technology it packs in: satellite navigation, Bluetooth phone operation, a vehicle information computer, and audio playback. All the major systems can also be activated via voice control.

A micro-SD card slot (up to 32 GB) allows audio file playback as well as the option to display photos.

The pick of the new engine line-up is 1.0-litre three cylinder, which is now available in turbocharged form with two power outputs, but the larger 1.2 TFSI tested here is still an excellent device even in the lower 90PS form. Quiet and torquey, it behaves much like a larger capacity engine and there’s very little to betray the fact that it is turbocharged. It delivers 0-62mph acceleration in 10.7 seconds and 57.6mpg combined fuel consumption.

The Ibiza's electric power steering feels very light, providing a fun drive on retuned suspension.

The Ibiza FR is an excellent choice for younger drivers seeking impressive kit list and an eye-catching exterior, without the financial penalties that accompany hot hatches with a greater turn of speed from more powerful engines. If you are looking for a fun-to-drive small car in an attractive package, then stop at Red.

Seat Ibiza FR Red Edition

Price: from £15,735

Engine: 1.2-litre TSI petrol, producing 110PS

Transmission: Six-speed manual

Performance: 0 to 62mph in 9.1 seconds; top speed 122mph

Economy: 54.3mpg combined

CO2 emissions: 119g/km