SEAT Ecomotive - Hang on to your Seat!

Ambitious Spanish car maker SEAT is gearing up for a green Christmas and New Year, with news that its ultra-low emissions new Ibiza Ecomotive is available to order now.

Deliveries of the firm's most economical, least polluting production model to date are set to begin in the spring, and with prices starting at a particularly keen £10,995 RRP the newcomer is expected to make a big impact among buyers eager to minimise their carbon footprint, but who are unwilling to pay the earth for their next car.

This important addition to the Ibiza line-up combines cutting-edge engineering and SEAT's trademark sporty styling to deliver a car that's as exciting to drive as it is to look at. The firm's engineers have wrung every ounce of economy from the already efficient Ibiza 1.4 TDI model (on which this newcomer is based) to allow exceptional carbon dioxide emissions of just 99 g/km, remarkable combined fuel economy of more than 74 mpg and yet a spirited 0-62 mph time of just 12.8 seconds.

And they achieve this impressive set of stats while keeping a tight lid on costs. Available from just £10,995 RRP the new Ibiza Ecomotive, offered in three- and five-door bodystyles, is among the least expensive low emissions models on the market today.

Rejecting the potentially expensive and complex hybrid powertrain route, SEAT is instead focusing on squeezing ultra-economical performance from its advanced three-cylinder turbo-diesel engine.

New software is added to the characterful powerplant's ECU, while particulate emissions are further reduced thanks to the addition of a state-of-the-art Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). Meanwhile, gear ratios in the Ibiza Ecomotive's smooth-shifting five-speed manual gearbox are lengthened, making for both more relaxed cruising and improved economy.

The new Ibiza is also more slippery through the air, with a Cd (coefficient of drag) figure of 0.30, compared with Cd 0.315 for the standard 1.4 TDI model. And special low rolling resistance 14" tyres from Dunlop help reduce road friction.

But while the engineers have obviously been keen to save weight, the car has not skimped on creature comforts: manual air conditioning, electric front windows, steering wheel-mounted audio controls for the MP3-compatible single-disc CD/radio and speed-sensitive electro hydraulic power steering are all among the Ibiza Ecomotive's generous standard equipment list. And great news for lovers of a cool cabin in a hot city: the standard fitment of air conditioning does not affect the newcomer's official CO2 emissions of just 99 g/km.

So, with those sub- 100 g/km carbon dioxide emissions making the Ibiza Ecomotive exempt from VED charges (it fits into Band A), as well as a likely candidate to avoid the revised London Congestion Charge, SEAT is anticipating a surge of interest in its 'green' newcomer.