When SEAT's Altea arrives in Ireland in July, it will almost certainly throw the cat amongst the pigeons in the compact MPV stakes.

Actually, they call it an MSV - a multi sports vehicle.

You can see where they're coming from in the styling, which has elements that are a direct derivation from the original Salsa concept sports car.

That very smart and strong but smooth front end is probably a sign of SEATs to come. In side profile it has a very strong dynamic sculpted line the curve of which sets up the visual ethos of every other panel. And that high-lights rear is practical and good-looking.

There are clever bits, too. Like concealing the out of use wipers vertically in the A-pillars rather than at the base of the windscreen. The designers say this allows better aerodynamic qualities.

The bonnet is quite a steep slope, partly to provide enough space between it and the engine stuff to allow better deformation qualities in impact with a pedestrian.

Good thing. But there's a trade-off. Regardless of how tall the driver, there's absolutely no way of knowing where the front of the car is in relation to anything else. A situation echoed somewhat in the back.

A brief time in two versions of the car up behind Barcelona certainly showed a spirited performer.

One was the 140bhp turbodiesel, with a massive for the class 320Nm of pulling power that made easy going of even twisty rising roads. Definitely one for the diesel lover. The other was the 1.6-litre petrol which will be the best seller in Ireland, which has the familiar 100bhp output we know in other VW Group products.

This Altea is built on the same platform as the VW Golf and the Audi A3. Somehow, though, SEAT always seem to have a little more flair than such relatives.