Long-term report: The Seat Ibiza’s class shines through

It’s commonly thought that people get a bit more eccentric as they grow older – and I’m rather worried it’s happening to me.

I was thinking this the other day as I was running a few errands in our long-term Seat Ibiza FR.

You see, the colour is so attractive and distinctive that I have found myself acknowledging motorists behind the wheel of other Seats with the same paint job.

Aronas, Atecas, Ibizas… they all look pretty cool with the Spanish manufacturer’s metallic eclipse orange finish.

And, to give the lie to the fact that people in the south are unfriendly (I live roughly mid-way between Portsmouth and Southampton), a few of them actually respond! More out of sympathy than anything else, I should think.

Anyway, the car is looking particularly good at the moment after its regular weekend spruce-up at my local hand car wash.

There is a bit of a downside to that though, in that by frequenting such an establishment, I have incurred the wrath of one of my colleagues, a chap by the name of Ted.

As well as being a motoring writer, Ted valets cars at the weekend and is sure he can do a better job than the guys I use. I might let him loose on KY68 ZXK in time for my next write-up, so watch this space.

One thing I notice when the car is fresh and clean is that all the clever design touches Seat has added to the latest-generation Ibiza really do look the business.

As I write this report, there have been quite a few nice days here on the sunny South Coast and good weather really seems to enhance the car’s appearance.

Its 17-inch ‘Dynamic’ alloy wheels look really sharp and the brilliant black-painted door mirrors and body-coloured door handles add to the car’s sporty persona.

I love the twin exhaust pipe styling and the shapes of the light clusters front and rear are typically Seat – sharp and stylish.

Inside, everything is just as appealing and extremely comfortable with the Ibiza’s height-adjustable driver’s seat, height and reach-adjustable steering wheel all making the cabin a nice place to be.

One feature that is no doubt valuable but a tiny bit disconcerting is the Ibiza’s tiredness recognition system. Occasionally, I am to be found driving the car in the small hours of the morning (it’s work-related in case you’re interested) and although I would absolutely never drive if I felt I was too tired to do so, there is no doubt that I might not be at my freshest at, say, 3am.

At such an ungodly hour, the activation of the tiredness recognition is perhaps to be expected – the little beep and illuminated cup of coffee a useful reminder to stay alert.

But it’s a bit odd to be told I’m feeling weary at 11am in the morning when I’ve only been behind the wheel for an hour or so! The tiredness recognition has only been activated twice in such circumstances and both times I have put it down to the fact that I have just glanced at the screen to change the radio station or maybe turn it off completely.

It would seem that a second or two with my eyes not completely on the road ahead may have been diagnosed as fatigue.

Then again, perhaps my driving isn’t as good as I think it is! Maybe I should use the controls on the steering wheel and the issue would be resolved.

Anyway, it’s another trip to Gloucestershire for KY68ZXK this weekend.

I’ll be taking Mum for lunch deep in the Cotswold countryside and the car will definitely need the services of a valeter after that.
Get your cloths and shampoo ready, Ted!