(Wed 09 Apr 08)

With the new Ibiza due to arrive in the UK in the near future, SEAT is adding to the appeal of the existing model (its best-selling car during March) with three new special editions.

Two of them are called Sportrider, and the difference between them is simply that one has a 1.4-litre petrol engine while the other has a 1.9-litre TDI turbo diesel. Both are fitted with cruise control, Climatronic air-conditioning, passenger seat height adjustment, heated and folding door mirrors, front foglights, 16" alloy wheels, sports seats, body-coloured doorhandles and mirrors, a honeycomb front grille and the front and rear bumpers from the Ibiza FR.

Prices are £9495 for the 1.4 Sportrider petrol and £10,395 for the 1.9 TDI.

A cheaper alternative is the Freerider, which uses the lovely 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine. Equipment on this one includes cruise control, Climatronic air-conditioning, 15" alloys, passenger seat height adjustment and those heated and folding door mirrors. The first 300 buyers will also have a DAB digital stereo radio provided for free. The Freerider costs £8995.

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