2015 Seat Ibiza 1.0 TSI 110 DSG first drive

The new Seat Ibiza - another refreshed model that will test even the most eagle-eyed car enthusiast who tries to spot the differences between this latest fifth-generation supermini and its predecessor.

You’ll have to look very hard indeed, because the only exterior styling tweaks are new daytime running lights and LED tail-lights, and new alloy wheels with a choice of two designs. That’s it.

However, the Spanish car firm has armed the Ibiza with a range of seven petrol and three diesel Euro 6-compliant engines, six of which are completely new.

Seat is keen to reiterate that this is the first Volkswagen Group supermini to receive all of the 1.0-litre three cylinder derivatives, from the normally aspirated 74bhp version to the 109bhp turbocharged variant you see here.

The motor is paired with a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox and features a new electric power steering set-up, while retuned springs, dampers and anti-roll bars aim to improve the ride and handling.

Six trim levels will be available in the UK: E, S, SE, Toca, Connect and FR. A hot Cupra model will be launched later in the model's lifecycle.

Inside, Seat has discarded its old infotainment system from the fourth-generation model in favour of a brand new ‘Full Link’ multimedia touchscreen system, which is standard on Connect and FR trims and optional on lesser variants.

When connected to your smartphone, the system essentially copies the phone’s display onto the touchscreen, from where it allows you to listen to text messages and view up to 35 applications while on the move.

The new 1.0-litre turbocharged triple picks up swiftly from 1500rpm and emits a textbook zesty three-cylinder note, with just enough turbocharged 'whoosh' audible without sounding ghastly.

Around town and low down in the rev range, the Ibiza 110 is certainly responsive - its peak torque of 148lb ft comes in at 2000rpm but the motor is happy enough hovering between 1400-1800rpm at city speeds.

However, work the engine hard beyond 3500rpm when the road opens up and the sound quickly turns from a refined thrum to a harsh tone, especially when chasing its 109bhp peak output at 5000rpm.

Ultimately, power delivery is impressively linear throughout the rev range with no obvious peaks or troughs, so you can rely on the broad power band to pull you up long hills without needing to drop down a gear.

Not that you’d mind swapping cogs in this Ibiza, because the seven-speed DSG gearbox swaps up and down the ratios with ruthless efficiency, although a lack of steering wheel-mounted paddles did detract from the driving experience when pressing on.

The retuned speed-sensitive electric power steering still doesn’t quite offer enough feedback through the wheel and its overt lightness doesn’t particularly inspire confidence.

However, when hunting down hairpin bends on a mildly challenging country road on the outskirts of Barcelona, the Ibiza demonstrated decent levels of grip – enough to counteract the lack of steering feel and inspire new-found confidence in the chassis.