Taken directly from a spainish media site (translated through babelfish) , we're got what looks like a APRIL FOOL of the first official image of the 2008 Mk5 SEAT Ibiza The contrasting design means that it's not a "mini Leon" as has been feared by many fans who desire a 'fresh' look for the new Ibiza

After what seems like months of intense speculation, finally we have secured an official preview image of the brand new 2008 SEAT Ibiza Mk5.  The new range is focused primarily on a new greener direction for the brand.  Reduced engine sizes, increased economy and lower carbon output, with the lower tax incentives these bring.

Here we see an image of the all-new SEAT Ibiza “Sport UP!” model, it’s a new technical achievement based on an all new 130bhp 1.0 litre TDI engine, with direct port fuelling. As well as providing the unrivaled economy of a diesel with an eye on the spool up time, the new three cylinder engine will use a ground breaking tri-turbo setup (one per cylinder). The “Sport Up!” will also come with the option of a new Advanced Petrol Reflective Injection Limited 0.6 litre engine, which employs a light pressure turbo producing up to 100bhp.

The addition of independent rear suspension will result in excellent road holding dynamics, made possible with the newly developed SEAT High Intensity Tracking suspension setup. This is assumed to be the ‘cooking’ model version of the SEAT Sport Dynamic setup that is expected to stay only on the Cupra. 

A new optional safety braking system is being offered too, controlled by a newly developed ABS system, that is described as the Focal Objective Operating Limit System.  It uses a sensor system in the front bumper that detects not only distance from objects but the condition of the road surface and applies the correct safe braking pressure in the event of an emergency stop.

Other models scheduled to be available at launch will be the entry level Reference, mid range SE models as well as the aforementioned Sport UP! A range topping Cupra version is expected to follow as soon as October 2008.

A five door model will soon follow, of which only loose sketches are currently available on the media sites – but it’s a cross between the three door model we have shown here, with a Skoda Roomster style back end for extra loading space.

The Cupra is rumored to be the range topping car that we are all expecting it to be, with a new 2.0 litre PD190 engine, complete with AWD taken from the yet to be released Audi A1 platform. This could be a strong hint that SEAT will be entering the World Rally Championship in 2009, when the rules change to allow S2000D cars to compete on an equal footing.

Inside the new model, it’s reported that the dash will be made from purely recyclable materials from the surrounding sustainable forest area near the SEAT factory in Martorell, near Barcelona. They will utilise a specially developed water-soluble solution applied to keep the key recyclable components of the car easy to dissolve at landfill.

Interiors are tipped to be a cut above what existing SEAT owners are used to, doing away with the previous “Poverty” spec interiors. All new Mk5 Ibiza’s will come with cruise control, faux leather style seats, a sunroof, and an 8 speaker digital iPod ready Sat Nav with a built in internet radio facility.

SEAT will also build further on their green ambitions when they introduce the new SEAT Ibiza Ecomotive. The new eco-car will be a long geared, low wind resistant model, which will stand-alone from the rest of the range. It’s expected to share the ‘outline’ of the SEAT Bocanegra, as a low profile coupe model. But to keep the “sporty” flair of the brand, the 2.5 TDI unit that is already converted to use bio-fuels will be longitudinally mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The longer gearing pushes the mpg up to a staggering 70mpg extra urban. But you can’t have your cake and eat it – the 0-62mph time is a pedestrian 9.8seconds.

More details will be revealed at a special launch event to be held on the party island of Ibiza in the coming few weeks.