Seat Ibiza and Exeo

Dr Jekyll, meet Mr Hyde or, to put it another way, Seat Ibiza Cupra, meet Seat Ibiza Ecomotive.

The hot Cupra is based on the three-door Ibiza Sports Coupe and powered by a 177bhp 1.4-litre petrol engine, which is both turbo- and supercharged. It is linked to a seven-speed semi-automatic gearbox, with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts.

It has 17-inch alloy wheels, a rear diffuser, sports seats and aluminium pedals.

We believe the Ibiza Ecomotive has been tweaked since first details of the low-CO2-emitting car came out.

We expect the car to emit 98g/km of carbon dioxide, the same as than the forthcoming Ford Fiesta Econetic, which will be the cleanest supermini on sale when it goes on sale next year.

It is available in three- and five door versions and powered by a 79bhp 1.4-litre diesel engine.

Changes to improve its efficiency include revised gear ratios, the use of low-rolling-resistance tyres, aerodynamic improvements and the replacement of the spare wheel with a puncture repair kit.

Prices and full trim details of the Ibiza Cupra and Ibiza Ecomotive will be available shortly before they go on sale in the middle of next year.

Exeo
Seat's new family car, the Exeo, gets its first airing here in Paris too, before it goes on sale in the UK next April.

It's based on the previous-generation Audi A4 and ditches Seat's current trend of calling its cars after places in Spain.

The car shown in Paris is powered by a 198bhp 2.0-litre TSI petrol engine. Fuel economy is estimated at 36.6mpg, while emissions should be below 185g/km of carbon dioxide.

The car has double-thickness door windows, which is supposed to reduce noise inside the car. Other technological features include adaptive headlights that turn as the car turns, lighting the inside of the corner, and a 'solar roof' that can power the car's climate control.

UK prices and specifications will be announced later.

The Sports Tourer version - Seat's sporty term for estate - will probably be launched at next spring's Geneva motor show