The newcomer’s dramatic debut, at the firm’s Martorell HQ near Barcelona, marks the start of a major product offensive from the ambitious Spanish brand which will, over the coming months, also see the debut of further Ibiza variants, as well as striking new saloon and estate contenders in the upper medium segment.

All-new from the wheels up, and designed to reinforce SEAT’s position as a leader in the super mini sector, the bigger, better new Ibiza five-door has a range of ‘big car’ features to match its sharp styling.

The work of ex-Lamborghini stylist Luc Donckerwolke, the new car offers a variety of class-leading options such as the availability of a new seven-speed DSG automatic/sequential manual gearbox, Hill Hold Assist, front fog lights with side illumination (cornering) function and combined AUX-IN/USB connectivity for all manner of music devices.

Longer than the current model, at 4.05 m versus the existing car’s 3.97 m, the new Ibiza is markedly more capacious, too, with improved rear seat legroom and a significantly larger and more practical boot space which, at 292 litres with rear seats in place, is comfortably the largest in the super mini class.

Sitting on a new version of the renowned Ibiza ‘Agile Chassis’, with wider front and rear tracks (30 mm and 33 mm respectively) the new car looks and feels even more ‘planted’, and delivers both a composed ride and class-leading, sporty handling.

Debuting with a range of potent, proven powerplants, the Ibiza five-door promises both strong performance and outstanding economy. Beneath the bonnet, this front-wheel drive car will initially offer three petrol engine options: either a characterful 1.2-litre three cylinder; flexible 1.4-litre four cylinder or sporty 1.6-litre four cylinder.

All three come matched to a sweet-shifting five-speed manual gearbox, and all have undergone engineering modifications to ensure emissions fall comfortably below 160 g/km.

SEAT’s success in offering sporty yet frugal diesel cars naturally means a raft of sophisticated direct-injection TDI Ibiza five-doors will debut in due course, too.

Safety and security have both been key considerations in the development of the new car, with the likes of new head and thorax-focused front side airbags, and the extensive availability of ESP and TCS.