Model tested: Seat Ibiza Ecomotive ST 1.2 TDI CR
Price: £14,910
Road tester: Rhian Angharad Jones
Date tested: July 2010

The first-generation Seat Ibiza Ecomotive helped set the benchmark for efficient, good-looking and affordable superminis.

Now in its third incarnation, it has gained the latest efficiency technology, three bodystyles and a subtle aerodynamic makeover. The result is a car which is free to tax and has a combined fuel economy of 80.2mpg.

The outgoing model's 80bhp 1.4-litre engine has been replaced by a new, ultra-efficient 75bhp 1.2-litre TDI CR unit, which is also used in the new Volkswagen Polo Bluemotion and Skoda Fabia Greenline.

This engine is impressively quick despite its reduced size and power. Thanks to its 133lb/ft of torque, better aerodynamics and less weight, it is actually slightly faster than the standard Ibiza.

The five-door model can go from 0-62mph in 13.9 seconds and has a top speed of 108mph - 4mph more than its standard sibling.

But this pace comes at the price of engine noise. While wind and road noise are impressively low, the rattle from the Ibiza Ecomotive's three-cylinder diesel is considerable. It's especially loud around town but things improve when cruising. The longer gearing - intended to improve efficiency - takes a little time to get used to.

The chassis is responsive and fun to drive, while Seat's characteristically firm ride wasn't exacerbated by the Ecomotive's stiffer suspension and higher tyre pressures.

For the first time, the Ibiza Ecomotive also features stop and start, brake energy regeneration and a gear shift indicator.

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The Ecomotive's aero pack features a lower, closed grille to redirect airflow out of the engine bay, a front spoiler, a rear hatch spoiler, deflectors over the rear wheelarches and 15-inch low resistance tyres.

The Ecomotive is well-equipped and comes in two trim levels: S A/C and SE level. The entry-level version gets ABS, ESP, Hill Hold Assist, air conditioning and MP3 connectivity. SE adds front fog lights with cornering function, heated door mirrors and cruise control.

It is available in three body styles - five-door, sporty three-door SC and ST estate. The option of an efficient estate version is rare in this market but it carries a small CO2 penalty, with emissions recorded at 102g/km - or £35 a year to tax - due to its increased weight.

But variety alone will not help Seat achieve its aspirations for Ecomotive to account for 20 per cent of all Ibiza sales, up from 13 per cent. As the Ecomotive costs £800 more than the standard car, how will it persuade buyers to pay a premium for efficiency?

The new Ecomotive's big selling points are its competitive pricing while its youthful, sporty image has helped it capture the lowest average new car buyer age in Britain.

It's for these reasons and its exceptionally low running costs that the new Ibiza Ecomotive will become a hit when it arrives in UK showrooms in October.