2017 SEAT Ibiza arrives with a look of the Leon - in SEAT's UK showrooms in July

2017 SEAT Ibiza arrives with a look of the Leon

The 2017 SEAT Ibiza has been revealed, sporting a complete new platform, new engines and new technology to take on the new Ford Fiesta.

SEAT are on a bit of a product roll at the moment, although much of that is about new SUVs like the Ateca. But this, the 2017 SEAT Ibiza – is SEAT’s new supermini hoping to take chunks out of the Fiesta’s dominance of the sector in the UK.

Based on a completely new A0 version of VW’s MQB platform, the Ibiza looks familiar with its evolved design and Leon look, but is really all shiny and new.

That new platform cuts some weight and adds rigidity – which should make the new Ibiza a bit more dynamic – and comes with a choice of three engines at launch; 1.0 litre TSI with 94 bhp or 113 bhp, a 1.6 litre TDI with 79 bhp or 94 bhp and, a bit later in 2017, a 148 bhp 1.5 litre TSI.

Trim options in the UK for the 2017 Ibiza will be S, SE, FR and Xcellence, with the S and SE the regular Ibizas, the FR the sporty take and the Xcellence the luxury. But as for spec details, that’s going to have to wait until the proper debut in Geneva.

The 2017 SEAT Ibiza will go on sale at SEAT’s UK dealers in May, with prices expected to start from around £13k.