Seat Ibiza news - Ibiza trance - 2008

With a predictable lack of candour, Seat has unveiled its new Ibiza as a thinly disguised concept and then murmured things like, 'hints clearly at the brand's future design direction'. Ignore all that face-saving guff and be optimistic. This IS the new Ibiza, give or take, and we like it.

The hand of Luc Donckerwolke, designer of the Lamborghini Murcielago, is evident in its bold angles, gaping intakes and wide stance.

A clear evolution of the current design as much as it is a nod to the future, everything about this 'concept' smacks of reality anyway. Big glass roof, indicators in the door mirrors, LED light clusters - all stuff that may be new to an Ibiza, but is nonetheless very real world.

Furthermore, it uses the 1.4-litre TSI turbocharged and supercharged engine from the Golf GT, and VW's DSG gearbox, all top-notch stuff that's tried and tested. The Ibiza proper will need to change little.

And should change as little as possible, we reckon.