Ibiza takes a Seat at top table for economy

PROGRESS is sometimes a difficult thing to discern, especially in cars. Seat, the maker of the popular Ibiza supermini, has produced diesel-engined versions of the car for a long time.

The previous-generation model had 1.4 and 1.9-litre oil-burning units but, when the current model was launched, a 1.6-litre 104bhp engine was announced to replace the 104bhp 1.9-litre unit. To the casual observer, the swapping of an existing powerplant for a smaller one with identical power looked like a sideways move at best. The reality is very different, for the 1.6 TDI diesel represents the Ibiza's passing into the age of common-rail injection.

The 1.6-litre TDI diesel engine generates 104bhp and torque of 250Nm which is broadly equivalent to the 1.9-litre direct-injection diesel used by older Ibizas. The differences are a 10Nm increase in torque and the fact that the 1.6 TDI produces this slightly superior pulling power a little lower in the rev range. Despite only a modest increase in low-down grunt, the 1.6-litre TDI Ibiza is significantly faster than its predecessor, with a 10.5 second 0-60mph time representing a 1.3 second advantage. There's also a 117mph top speed, making this diesel almost exactly as quick on the official measures as the Ibiza's 1.6-litre petrol engine.

From the outset, the key advantages of common-rail injection diesel engines have been their superior refinement and smoothness. The disconcerting diesel clatter that would once have rumbled though a car like this on start-up is greatly reduced with a modern common-rail unit installed. The power delivery tends to be smoother too, with the engine responding more quickly to throttle inputs, even at low revs. This is because the best engines adapt their fuel injection patterns according to the driving situation, so more power can be generated when required and greater economy can be achieved when it isn't.

The Ibiza runs on the Volkswagen Group's advanced small-car platform dubbed the "agile chassis". It comes in the basic five-door bodystyle and as a three-door sports coupe which looks lower, leaner and meaner..

The five-door is 80mm longer than the old Ibiza's 3,970m and much bigger inside, while the boot space is very impressive for a supermini. The car also features wider front and rear tracks to give it a planted stance, while the body structure is extremely rigid to enhance the driving dynamics.

The interior of the Ibiza is an upmarket affair with some nice trim finishes and good amounts of space front and rear. The sparky design of the outside isn't really carried over internally and the dash follows a more conservative feel that veers towards style rather than fashion. The Ibiza always feels a quality product.

Seat sees the 1.6-litre TDI engine giving the Ibiza the clout to compete in the upper echelon of diesel superminis. That means going head to head with the Ford Fiesta, Mazda2, Renault Clio, Fiat Grand Punto and others which offer common-rail injection oil-burning engines. It's a tricky task but the Ibiza's build quality and youthful image will certainly help come the final shakedown.

The basic specification on the Ibiza includes a height-and-reach adjustable steering wheel, speed-sensitive power steering, electric front windows, remote central locking and an MP3-compatible stereo with AUX input. It's a handsome haul for a bog-standard supermini. The Sport models have sports suspension, sports seats and bigger alloys than the SE. All 1.6 TDI Ibizas have a five-speed manual gearbox as standard.

Costs are a growing concern for motorists and the 1.6-litre TDI Ibiza is well-equipped to combat them. More than the way it performs out on the road, it's the way the car mixes that performance with outstanding economy that will really wow the public. Fuel economy is measured at 67.2mpg on the combined cycle and emissions are 109g/km. The engine also meets the Euro5 emissions regulations.

The pricing reflects the Ibiza 1.6 TDI's impressive capabilities but buyers wanting to minimise costs could opt for the cheaper Ibiza Ecomotive which uses a 3-cylinder direct injection diesel. Here, the fuel economy is over 76mpg but performance drops off markedly.

At first glance, there may not appear to be anything particularly special about the 1.6-litre TDI engine in the SEAT Ibiza but it's the Ibiza's first common-rail injection diesel and it should put the supermini into direct contention with the best oil-burners in the class. The engine doesn't come cheap but its combination of performance and economy should make it a particularly satisfying ownership proposition.

FACT BOX

CAR: SEAT Ibiza 1.6 TDI

PRICE: 13,330 - 16,875 – OTR

INSURANCE GROUP: 4-5 (est)

EMISSIONS: 109g/km

PERFORMANCE: Max speed 117mph; 0-60mph 10.5 seconds

FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 67.2mpg