JUST ANNOUNCED
Seat Ibiza

Price £8,995-£11,295
On sale July 16

What’s different? This Ibiza is all new, larger than the car it replaces and available from launch with only five doors and three petrol engines – from a 1.2 litre 70bhp unit to a 1.6 litre 105bhp one. Diesels will be available in the first half of next year, and a three-door version goes on sale in November. Sporting FR and Cupra models are confirmed for some time in 2009

Why should I care? It’s not often you get to buy a car for less than nine grand designed by a former Lamborghini chief stylist, but that’s what the Luc Donckerwolke-penned Ibiza has to offer. With distinctive looks, Volkswagen underpinnings and an entry price that undercuts that of the outgoing model, it has the potential to be the most competitive Ibiza yet

Consider also
VW Polo £8,300-£14,390
Fiat Grande Punto £9,160-£13,005
Peugeot 207 £9,995-£12,895

JUST ANNOUNCED
Ford Focus RS

Price £22,000 approx
On sale Summer 2009

What’s different? The new rally-inspired RS will be the fastest Focus money can buy and will make its debut at the British International Motor Show in London next month. The car pictured is a prototype undergoing performance testing at the Nürburgring circuit in Germany; the finished version will feature a new sports chassis and a reworked 2.5 litre turbocharged engine delivering 280bhp and giving the car a (limited) top speed of 155mph

Why should I care? The last Focus RS, which was launched in 2002, is widely held to be the best hot hatch of all time. Its successor could top it

Consider also
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X FQ-300 GS £27,499
Subaru Impreza WRX STi £26,595
Volkswagen Golf R32 V6 4Motion £24,950