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our test drives or view them all

SEAT Ibiza Ecomotive three-door 1.4 Turbo Diesel

IT weighs in at barely a tonne and sips fuel reluctantly, like a lady sampling a pint of heavy for the first time.

But for all its economy and its relatively low list price, I wonder how many of us would be drawn to the frugal attractions of the SEAT Ibiza Ecomotive?

I’m undecided about growth of so-called “environmentally aware” cars. Sure, they’re cheap to run – but they are not particularly cheap to buy when compared to some entry level models in the same range.

Like the Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion, the SEAT Ibiza Ecomotive is pricier than its entry level stablemates.

The three-door 1.4 TDI Ecomotive I had on test last week costs a not inconsiderable £10,995 and the same car with five doors is £11,625.

That’s not cheap when the Ibiza range starts at around £8,500 for a 70bhp 1.2 petrol that can average 47.9mpg.

But for Highland customers there’s better news on the cost front. North dealers Bannerman of Inverness is selling the last of the current models with big discounts – a three-door Ecomotive at £9,995 or a five-door for £10,395.

The Ibiza Ecomotive is currently built using the old bodyshell, and when it is replaced in April by the new-look Ibiza that was launched last year it will cost £11,205 in three-door guise and £11,595 as a five-door.

If you’re willing to pay for this lightweight fuel miser it will deliver exceptional economy, very low emissions and will cost nothing to road tax.

My three-door old model Ecomotive that SEAT grandly refers to as the coupé lived up to its frugal nature. Round town it managed 57mpg, and a long run to the north along Loch Shin exceeded its published 74mpg average figure by a massive margin – and on one gentle stage it must have been nudging 90 miles a gallon. That’s amazing.

But you have to ask yourself: how?

First there’s the engine – a three-cylinder Volkswagen 1.4-litre turbodiesel optimised for economy and producing just 80bhp. It’s not exactly a paragon of smoothness.

There’s no getting away from it – the three-potter is noisy. There are times under load when it sounds like a demented sit-on mower, and road and general wind noise is high.

That’s because the car is light. SEAT has shaved weight all over the place to maximise economy and lower its carbon footprint. There’s no fat on this car.

The Ibiza is also more aerodynamic, with what looks like minor airflow tidying up that delivers a slippy shape to help stretch the diesel fuel.

That gives the Ecomotive a raw feel. Ride quality is good but lively, and the overall noise level is higher than in, say, a new shape 1.4-litre petrol Ibiza.

But despite its rawness, the Ecomotive is brisk. I was genuinely surprised at how strong its little three-cylinder diesel was on the twists and turns of Highland and Moray roads.

Strong pulling power comes thanks to 144lb.ft of torque at 2200rpm. That’s bang where you need it for good overtaking punch.

The Ecomotive will bowl along all day without much effort and sails up hills without constantly needing to change down as you would with a small petrol engine.

As a frugal alternative to more refined superminis the Ecomotive, both current and new model, makes sense on two counts: getting the most per gallon and knowing you are polluting at a very low level.

The first Ibiza Ecomotive sold in the United Kingdom last year was bought by Outer Hebridean driver James Monro from North Uist – a five-door model that he drove away within hours of the Ecomotive’s official launch.

Since he collected the car from Bannerman’s Inverness dealership, the electrician has never looked back. James says that when driving on the island’s tortuous winding roads, with near-constant need for gear changing, his Ecomotive averages an impressive 66.6mpg.

It’s that kind of economy in extreme driving conditions that has helped the Highland dealer to sell scores of Ecomotive models.

James says: “To get more than 66 miles to a gallon on the island’s roads is quite an achievement, and the car doesn’t feel any different to drive. In fact, it’s a lot quicker and more responsive than my old diesel.”

Praise indeed – and I can see where he’s coming from. What’s really impressive about this lightweight Scrooge machine is the perkiness of its three-cylinder engine.

It’s a strong puller and sidles back to an easy 1750rpm in fifth for a steady 60mph cruise. That’s how it manages those incredible economy figures – by getting as near peak torque revs as possible when the car is bowling along.

And when you need to overtake or accelerate away up a hill, that same torque is there in plenty to wind the Ecomotive along like an almighty elastic band.

Refinement apart, I’d say driving the Ecomotive is fun. It handles really well and the ride is as good as the best in the supermini market.

Standard specification is light in weight, but not in features.

Every Ecomotive comes with sensible shoes – 14-inch steel wheels with aerodynamic plastic covers – but elsewhere there’s air conditioning, five-speed manual transmission, tinted glass, front electric windows, ABS brakes, twin front airbags, remote central locking, height and reach adjustment for the electrohydraulic power steering wheel, a split and fold rear seat, external temperature display, rear spoiler, body colour bumpers, steering wheel mounted audio controls, a good RDS radio with CD slot, six speakers and AUX IN connection and MP3 compatibility.

That’s impressive for a car in this bracket that also has ISOFIX anchorage points and adjustable front head restraints.

As a practical three-door hatchback, the Ibiza Ecomotive will make a useful family holdall.

At around four metres long and capable of towing around a tonne, it offers 284 litres of luggage space that can be expanded easily by folding the rear seats.

Rear seat comfort is basic and it is awkward to climb in past the folded front seats, but despite being trimmed in hard plastic the dash is well laid out and clear and easy to use.

It’s good, and had it not been for that noise I would have happily given it higher marks.

Rating: 6.5/10

FINAL THOUGHT: As long as you are willing to put up with the additional noise and poorer engine refinement of the Ecomotive, it is a remarkably frugal little car – both as a three-door coupé or the more practical five-door. It has tough competition from cheaper "economy" supermini models such as Vauxhall’s Corsa and Renault’s Clio, but with big discounts on the current model the Ibiza Ecomotive could be a clever buy for a car that stretches economy like no other can.

SEAT Ibiza Ecomotive three-door 1.4 Turbo Diesel

• Price: £10,995 (old model), £11,205 (new model)
• Capacity: 1422cc
• Power: 80bhp
• 0-62mph: 12.8 seconds
• Maximum speed: 109mph
• Economy: Combined 74.3mpg; Urban 57.7mpg
• CO2 emissions: 99g/km
• ESP: Not available
• Insurance: Group 5