(Fri 05 Feb 10)

Ten months on from showing a design sketch of the basic idea, and five months after presenting the IBZ Concept at the Frankfurt Show, SEAT has now issued official images of the Ibiza ST, its first small hatchback since the Cordoba Vario of 1998.

The ST is 18cm longer than the hatchback and has a lot more luggage space - 430 litres with the rear seats in place, compared with 292 for the five-door hatch and 284 for the three-door SC. It will come with a choice of five engine (three petrol and two turbo diesel) with power outputs ranging from 84bhp to 104bhp. None of the variants is therefore likely to be especially quick, though SEAT insists that the design "retains the youthful, sporty character of the rest of the Ibiza range". The DSG twin-clutch semi-automatic gearbox will be available on some models.

Pricing and specification details won't be announced until nearer the UK launch date, which will be some time this summer.

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