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First details of the all-new, five-door only Seat Ibiza supermini have been announced ahead of the car's public debut at the Geneva motor show in March. The new car will go on sale in the UK in July this year and is the first VW Group car to be based on the company's brand-new small-car platform.
Despite being slightly shorter than the previous model, the new car boasts much more interior space thanks largely to the combination of an 87mm increase in width and a 95mm longer wheelbase. Meanwhile, boot space now measures 355 litres, right up there with the most generous in the class and a significant increase over the previous model.
The brand claimed the new car has 35mm more legroom in the back seats, as well as 24mm more headroom in the front, with 17mm more in the rear. Meanwhile, the new car's seats are significantly wider, too, making it more comfortable for passengers.
Design-wise, it's very much a case of evolution over the previous model, rather than revolution. Sharp creases prevail all over the bodywork, with the foglights set deep into the front bumper. The all-LED headlights and daytime running lights now form a triangular, rather than trapezoidal, shape. With the shorter bodywork and longer wheelbase, the wheels - now up to 18 inches in size - have been pushed right out into each corner, meaning very short overhangs at each end.
Round the back, the angular theme continues, with the trapezoidal rear lights wrapping themselves round the rear haunches. There's also a sharp crease running across the tailgate between the rear light clusters.
As well as improving interior space, the new car will come with a host of new connectivity and safety features. These include wireless phone charging, as well as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink compatibility to allow owners to connect most smartphones to the car's infotainment system, which will be controlled from an eight-inch touchscreen.
On the active safety front, the new Ibiza will be available with adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency braking. It'll also be available with keyless entry-and-go, new-generation front and rear parking sensors, and a higher-quality reversing camera. Also available will be a new 300W eight-speaker stereo developed in conjunction with Beats Audio.
It's yet to be decided quite how this equipment will be spread among the four trim levels - S, SE, FR and Xcellence - that will be available at launch in the UK. What we do know, however, is that FR models will have a sportier edge to them. This includes slightly stiffer suspension, a sporty front bumper and some black exterior trim pieces.
These versions will also come with selectable driver modes, which include Comfort, Eco, Sport and Individual settings. The system adapts the car to the driver's preferences, or to the prevailing conditions on the road. This system will also be offered on Xcellence models - with an additional softer suspension setting - at a later date.
Also available on these two top-spec trims will be LED ambient interior lighting, which will be available in a choice of red or white, while these versions will also be offered with LED headlights and tail lights for the first time.
From launch there will be two petrol engines and two diesel engines to choose from. The petrols are both 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged units, producing 95 and 115hp, respectively. Meanwhile, the 1.6-litre four-cylinder diesel - which is likely to be the pick of the company car bunch - will be available with either 80 or 95hp.
There's no word yet on fuel economy, emissions or performance figures, but expect all of these to be improved compared with the older model, thanks to the fact that the new car is significantly lighter than its predecessor.
Meanwhile, pricing has yet to be announced, but we wouldn't expect them to start at much more the current model's £12,960 starting price when the car goes on sale in July.
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