SEAT is proud of its sporty image and nothing really cements that better than its Cupra models.

Cupra, a shortened form of cup racing, describes models based on its World Rally Championship cars and deliver real hot hatch performance that is up there with the best.

Recently facelifted, the Ibiza Cupra has a sculpted, chiselled look with new front and rear bumpers and double headlights, new grille and a large centrally positioned tailpipe which delivers a thrilling sound when under heavy acceleration.

Complementing that look are gloss black door mirror housings and the low profile 215/40 tyres on 17-inch alloy wheels, and a lowered chassis.

Just is case you might have forgotten what it is, the word Cupra is emblazoned on the boot, otherwise the letter S on the boot catch is a reminder.

It looks just as sporty inside with gloss black dashboard inserts, newly designed steering wheel with gear shift paddles, and aluminium trim accelerator and brake pedal.

The sports seats include, black cross-stitched fabric and the Cupra badge sewn into the front backrests.

It is well equipped and the  portable navigation which sits on top of the dash is now a standard feature with integrated Bluetooth connectivity and a range of information displays.

Other equipment includes trip computer, dual zone climate control, pollen filter, front electric windows, height and reach adjustable steering wheel, MP3-compatible CD player with steering column-mounted controls,

It is well equipped and good looking but the car is all about the performance. Powered by the VW-sourced 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine it pumps out a meaty 177bhp to produce rapid acceleration.

It can hit a top speed of 140mph after accelerating from 0-60mpg in a fraction under seven seconds.

Great performance, but clean and green as well. Carbon dioxide emissions have been cut by 19 per cent on the previous model, while fuel economy is an excellent 47.9mpg a figure at first verified on the trip computer before over-enthusiastic driving dropped the figure dramatically.

The feisty engine is mated to a slick seven-speed sequential DSG gearbox with steering wheel shift paddles.

In auto mode it shfits seamlessly through the gears and even when looking for a sportier drive via the paddles, and then overdoing the revs, it will change up or down when necessary.

With all that power, the wheels need to be kept in contact with the road and the XDS system, which mimics the function of a limited slip differential, which allows one of the wheels to turn slower than the other to produce tight control on bends and excellent handling characteristics.

The handling is exceptional, the car gripping the road limpet like on corners while the ride is firm.

It is true hot hatch performance, but the car can calm down and give a comfortable ride around town and is a comfortable motorway cruiser. It is also reasonably practical with a decent sized boot and split, folding rear seats.

The car is packed withs safety gear to achieve a five star Euro NCAP safety rating and includes ABS, driver, passenger, head-thorax and front side airbag, Hill Hold Control, low tyre pressure warning, plus stability programme.