Apparently, and I’m only going by what I’ve read, Ibiza is the party capital of the world. Being a tank top-wearing, horlicks-swilling, go-to-bed-before-it-gets-dark kinda guy, I wouldn’t really know.

What I do know, however, is that if it’s half as much fun as the little Seat that bears its name then, pot belly and all, I’m leaving on the next flight.

Okay, maybe I’ll just settle back on this soft, comfy armchair and finish this delicious, hot, malty drink first while I tell you a little more about the Seat Ibiza FR that I’ve just spent a week falling in love with.

Resplendent in eye-catching Alor Blue (a £530 option) the little hatchback is certainly a bit of a looker. It’s a striking combination of straight lines, sharp corners and curves giving it a modern, youthful look.

The front seats are snug - although that might be as much to do with my perpetually growing waistline as anything - and supportive with plenty of flexibility to allow you to get comfortable, very comfortable, behind the wheel.

There have obviously been cost-savings in the cabin - some of the plastics are less tactile than you might like - but they are generally reserved for less well explored areas. The bits that you regularly come into contact with are of excellent quality while the ergonomics are first class.

The FR comes with a 5in colour touchscreen as standard but, if you don’t mind parting with 58,000 of your hard-earned pennies, you can upgrade to Navigation System which includes Media System Plus 3D map display, high resolution colour driver’s display, two SD card slots and navigation voice control.

Splash out another £145 and you can add full link, which adds compatibility with Mirrorlink, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Finally, and probably what I would consider the most important addition, 155 notes wil buy you six high quality speakers, boot mounted subwoofer and amplifier so you can sound as cool as you look. Yes, just like I did.

Rear legroom is restricted - this is a small car after all - but if you do have tall friends who insist on being chauffeured around they certainly won’t be lacking for headroom.

You’re never going to be overwhelmed by the power on offer from the 1.0-litre three-pot engine and that’s why the Ibiza is such a hoot. All the torque, all the grip, it’s all accessible all of the time.

It’s no slouch though. It takes a very respectable 9.3 seconds to reach 62mph but it actually feels even spritelier than that in the real world.

Under heavy acceleration you can hear the motor working hard but it’s a pleasant, sporty note that is perfectly suited to the character of this car.

My test car also arrived with the seven-speed DSG gearbox connecting the engine to the front wheels. It’s a wonderfully responsive unit that chooses gears quickly and wisely. Slip it into manual mode and use the little plastic paddles mounted behind the steering wheel and then the Ibiza really starts to party.

The steering is responsive, direct and perfectly weighted while the back end of the car follows dutifully as you nose the front into a bend. It’s a beautifully balanced chassis and the ride is just on the right side of firm.

Refinement is excellent. Aside from the engine noise permeating the cabin under hard acceleration there’s very little else to disturb the peace and quiet, which means that you don’t even have to crank the stereo up to enjoy Smooth tunes. This may be a small car, with a small engine, but it’s also an excellent long distance cruiser.

The boot is a reasonable 293 litres, which during my week with the FR has proven to be perfectly adequate for my day to day needs

The Ibiza FR has been a fun companion. It’s spirited three-cylinder engine is a willing performer and the excellent seven-speed DSG gearbox, whether in manual or automatic mode, sublime. The handling and ride are perfectly judged as well. The interior is as pleasant a place to be as any small car I’ve driven but I’d certainly grab the sat nav and speaker set-up from the options list.

Going to Ibiza? Not likely. There’s too much of a party going on here.

Seat Ibiza FR 1.0 EcoTSI

Price: £16,140

As tested: £18,150

Engine: 1.0-litre 3-cylinder

Transmission: 7-speed DSG

Max power: 108bhp

Max speed: 122mph

Acceleration (0-62mph): 9.3sec

Urban: 53.3

Extra urban: 72.4

Combined: 64.2

Emissions (CO2): 102g/km

For more information about Sear cars visit www.seat.co.uk