YOU only have to look at the sales figures for the SEAT Ibiza since its introduction in 1984 to appreciate just how popular the car has become ... and by all accounts will soon be outgunning the Volkswagen Polo.

By itself this may not be of particular interest to the customer, but when you consider that Volkswagen is the parent company and that the SEAT is actually built on the Polo platform, then the VW designers must be missing a trick or two.

The Ibiza is now into its fifth generation, and with more than 100,000 sold in the United Kingdom, it has proved to be the best-selling model from the Spanish-based manufacturer.

Soon the showrooms will be taking in three and five-door hatchback versions offering four specification levels, the 1.2-litre, S, SE and Sport. There will also be five engines available.

This is the first SEAT designed by Walter de'Silva, who joined the company from Alfa Romeo and consequently has arrived with more than a drop of Italian blood flowing through its lines, as well as a new slogan "auto emocion".

The Italian influences can be seen in the Ibiza's distinctive and modern looks which seem to have also been influenced by an earlier concept model known as the Salsa. The new Ibiza is also longer, wider and taller than its predecessor. Also, in its new guise, it is guaranteed to give Ford's new Fiesta, Peugeot's 206, Vauxhall's Corsa and Renault's Clio more than a run for the money.

Now one of the largest cars in the class, all the extra space has been converted into more front and rear passenger leg and shoulder room, and some of it has also gone into boosting boot space.

One of the most significant advances is the company's own agile chassis concept, which via electronics finely tunes the suspension settings and is also capable of providing more precise handling and quicker responses from the driver. Certainly the car holds the road well and steers nicely and positively, whether on rural rides or slamming it down the motorway.

Marketing forces behind the new Ibiza see it as appealing to the younger professional driver, one with an active lifestyle. Such people might prefer to take the wheel of the new 130bhp 1.9-litre turbo diesel, the most powerful in the segment. There is no doubt it is the star performer, offering exceptional torque and power. The engine is matched to a six-speed gearbox (a first for an Ibiza) and it accelerates from 0 to 62mph in just over nine seconds. Nonetheless, it is not particularly hard on the pocket, returning an average 55mpg.

There is also a 100bhp version, offering plenty of flexibility and performance, but it is not quite in the same class.

Petrol engines start with the £7,995 Ibiza 1.2 model, aptly named after the 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine that drives it, producing 64bhp and coupled to a five-speed gearbox. Interestingly, although smaller capacity, this engine is both more economic, more powerful and has a higher top speed than the comparable 1.4-litre engine fitted to its predecessor. It produces 4bhp more and returns nearly 5mpg more while its top speed is well over the limit. The same engine is also fitted to the next model up, the £8,495 Ibiza S.

The Ibiza SE specification offers a choice of engines, either a 1.9-litre diesel (£11,995) or a 1.4-litre 16V petrol (£10,195), delivering 75bhp and returning around 43mpg on the combined cycle.

Sport versions get their power via the 130bhp diesel (£13,495), or a 1.4-litre 16V 100bhp (£11,345) petrol unit.

But the Ibiza has not sacrificed safety for style or performance. The group insurance ratings range from group two to seven, and safety measures include high strength passenger safety cabin cell, twin airbags and pre-tensioned front seat belts, collapsible steering column and pedals, while Isofix child seat fittings are mounted in the rear seat. Front side airbags are also fitted to the Sport, and offered as an optional fitting for other models.

Throughout the range specification levels are good. A sporty-looking fascia is angled towards the driver, providing good views of the speedo and rev counter, flanked by two smaller dials for water temperature and fuel level, while on the TDi Sport there are more dials showing oil temperature and even battery level.

The all-important seating is surprisingly comfortable: the front sports seats excellently bolstered to provide body support, the back seats are equally comfortable. Front seats are adjustable for height on SE and Sport models. For three-door versions, the front passenger seat is fitted with a special access function: as the front seat is tilted so the seat cushion lifts and moves forward and the backrest folds.

The back seats can also be folded to increase the load space of the boot, which provides 267-litres, 17-litre more than the previous model. A full-size spare wheel is under the boot floor.

Model: SEAT Ibiza

Prices (on the road): From £7,995 (three-door 1.2-litre) and £8,495 (five-door) to £13,495 (three-door Sport TDi).

Dimensions: Length 3953mm, width 1698mm, height 1441mm, wheelbase 2460mm.

Engines: Three petrol - 1.2-litre three cylinder 1198cc 64bhp, 1.4-litre four cylinder 1390cc 75bhp and 100bhp; two diesels 1.9-litre four cylinder 1896cc 100bhp and 130bhp.

Performance: Top speeds between 103mph (1.2-litre) and 129mph (1.9-litre); 0-62 between 9.4secs (1.9-litre) and 14.9secs (1.2-litre).

Economy: 1.2-litre urban 37mpg, extra urban 55mpg combined 47.1mpg; 1.9-litre 130bhp urban 42mpg, extra urban 67mpg, combined 55.4mpg.

Emissions: 1.2-litre 144 g/km, 1.9-litre 130bhp 138 g/km.

Insurance: Group two for 1.2-litre to group seven for 1.9-litre Sport TDi.

Warranty: Three year/60,000 miles, 12-year anti-corrosion, three year paint, three year roadside assistance.

Option prices: Metallic paint £250, front side airbags £175, ABS anti-lock brakes £300 and satellite navigation £1,495.

SEAT has always been bold when it comes to colour schemes, and the new range offers a list that includes flash red, extreme blue, volcanic red, merlin green, eclipse blue, and even black magic. Unfortunately, interior trim by comparison, is a bit dull, mostly graphite or grey, with only the Sport versions using red or yellow.

Except for the entry 1.2 model, air conditioning is standard on other models. All models have a stereo system featuring radio and single CD player and eight speakers.

New features over previous Ibizas see the arrival of cup holders, a storage drawer beneath the front passenger seat on higher spec models, a sunshade over the interior mirror and adjustable air vents.

Updated: 11:13 Friday, April 26, 2002