GREEN cars are becoming ever more appealing an opportunity to save money as well as the planet.

The Seat Ibiza Ecomotive is the road tax-free, fuel efficient option for motorists tempted by the Spanish manufacturer’s biggest-selling UK car.

Auto Trader Editor Adrian Higgins drove the car at its European launch in Madrid, Spain.

When it comes to environmentally friendly motoring, choosing the right car is only half the solution. You’ve also got to drive it the right way.

Auto Trader was invited to put this to the test at the European launch of the new Seat Ibiza Ecomotive in Madrid, Spain.

The Spanish manufacturer challenged motorists to drive a 145km route as economically as possible to test the updated car’s new features – and our Green driving skills.

The car features four main innovations which have reduced CO2 emissions to a road tax-free 98g/km.

The three-cylinder 80bhp 1.4-litre TDI diesel engine from the regular Ibiza model has undergone major revisions to lower emissions and improve fuel economy. The Ecomotive is also more aerodynamic, lighter and features specially-selected optimally inflated, narrow tyres.

Driven “Greenly” it should return an average 76.3mpg - meaning the car, available as a three- or five-door hatchback, has a theoretical range of 900 miles between fuel stops.

Visually there is little to differentiate the Ecomotive from other models in the Seat Ibiza range. The exterior features aerodynamic features including a spoiler, closed front grille and less wind resistant wheel covers while inside there is a new cloth for the upholstery.

Like the Ibiza it is a safe (maximum five star rating following EuroNCAP crash testing), good-looking (it’s the first Seat to be completely designed by former Lamborghini designer Luc Dunckerwolke) supermini which features a generous level of specification (including six-speaker CD radio and trip computer).

But having driven the standard Seat Ibiza already we were concentrating on the Ecomotive’s Green credentials and - for the purposes of this challenge – keeping our eyes on the fuel gauge.

We switched the engine on, and tried to ensure we followed Auto Trader’s Green Driving Advice to reduce fuel consumption by turning off the aircon and CD/radio before accelerating slowly and steadily through the gears on to the motorway.

We were following an unfamiliar but straightforward major road route and there’s little doubt commuters would be able to extract greater economy on roads they know.

Even so our relatively smooth driving returned 71mpg – not too far off the claimed average figure. And another pairing in our group managed to return a much more impressive 81mpg.

It’s not necessarily going to lead to the most exhilarating driving experience but the benefits to your wallet are undoubted. The fact that the poorest return on the day stood at just 56mpg underlined Seat’s point that driving style is an essential part of driving Green.

So why would anyone choose NOT to buy a Seat Ibiza Ecomotive over the standard model?

Well, it’s expected to be launched with a £2,000 premium when it goes on sale in March 2009, so it would take some time before the benefits of tax-free motoring and reduced fuel consumption kick in – while those seeking performance wouldn’t necessarily be satisfied with the three cylinder engine’s 80bhp, 12.9 seconds 0-62mph time and top speed of 110mph (or adopting green driving techniques).

However, if infrequent visits to the petrol station and tax-free motoring are more your style, the Seat Ibiza credentials, in theory and in practice, are impressive.

As the manufacturer proved neatly on this launch – it really is down to the driver too.

Would you buy a 'green' special edition? Have your say on the Auto Trader Blog