Seat cars

2012 Seat Toledo Concept

The Seat Toledo was produced between 1991 and 2009 and during this period, there were three different generations offered. Now the car is preparing to make a comeback with its first concept version unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. The production version will arrive later in 2012.

The new generation Toledo will be defined by a new style language, with a powerful and solid stance, clear and precisely-executed surfaces and lines, and with the new headlamp form that is a signature feature of Seat’s new design DNA.

At the front, the concept features the company’s usual trapezoidal grille, large air inlet beneath the bumper, new headlamps with a pentagonal form, and chromed "wing" between the main headlamp and daytime running light. On the concept’s side, you will immediately notice a clean edge runs from the headlamps across the shoulders to the rear lights and the area around the sills and the roofline that carves an elegant arc all the way to the powerful breadth of the C-pillar.

Everything on the interior has been designed in order to help the driver: the instrument dials feature a clean design and the center console houses the audio and climate controls. You will also notice leather seats and leather cladding on the cockpit and doors.

2011 Seat IBL Sedan Concept

It’s very rare for a company like Seat to have the industry’s attention. But when it comes to a new concept car highlighting the company’s new design philosophy, then we get curious. Even for just a little bit.

The new IBL Sedan Concept accomplishes that and more. Quite frankly, the car’s design is far and away improved from what we’re accustomed to with Seat, which in our books, is a pretty good thing.

"The IBL [Concept] was created from the unique design DNA that will prevail right across our next vehicle generation," said new SEAT design chief, Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos.

The IBL Concept carries a pretty sharp looking profile, that much we’ll tell you. It’s got the look of a sporty four-door saloon that capitalizes on its elegant dynamics to catch your attention.

It certainly wouldn’t hurt to see Seat translate this concept to something a little more production-ready, but we’ll take what we can get from these guys anytime. After all, there aren’t a lot of expectations to begin with and if the IBL Concept is merely the first step in what we hope to be a more stylish future for the company, then sign us up.

Find out more about the Seat IBL Sedan Concept after the jump.

2011 Seat Leon FR+

Seat already offers an FR version of the Leon, but British customers are going to receive yet another version to add to their collection. The new Seat Leon FR+ comes with an even more powerful engine and a sportier feel than the standard model. Sales of the new model will begin in September with prices starting at £22,615, or about $37,000 at the current exchange rates.

The new Leon FR+ will be offered with 18" "Ibera" alloy wheels and the SEAT Media System 2.2. This media system includes satellite-navigation with five-inch color touchscreen and dynamic route guidance, DAB radio, Bluetooth audio streaming, and SD card slot. Other features of the FR+ model include Bluetooth phone connection, Bi-xenon headlights with AFS (Adaptive Front-lighting System), and front parking sensors.

The Seat Leon FR+ will be offered with two engines: a powerful 2.0 TSI 211 HP and a 2.0 TDI CR 170 HP. Both of these engines are combined with twin chrome exhaust pipes. Top speed will be limited to only 155 mph.

2011 Seat Leon Supercopa

Seat showed up to the Wörthersee meeting in Austria with six particularly fiery versions of their Ibiza and Leon models. One of these eccentric creations is the Leon Supercopa, a model that has been inspired by its siblings from the WTCC models.

The Supercopa is powered by the same engine as found in the Leon Cupra R - a 2.0 liter TSI engine - but its output has been increased to 301 HP with a peak torque of 250 lbs-ft. All of this power is sent through a six-speed DSG transmission and a mechanical locking differential to the front wheels. The steel disc brakes with six pistons per unit have diameters of 360 mm (front) and 256 mm (rear). The car features a pretty impressive exterior aerodynamic package along with a lowered ride for a more sporty impression. The cockpit is "the drivers" workstation for the single-brand series that has been running in Germany since 2004."

All races in the 2011 German SEAT Leon Supercopa will once again be run as part of the DTM program.

2011 Seat Leon and Ibiza Copa

Seat will be offering its British customers a new, high-value trim level for both the Ibiza and Leon models. The new models are called Copa ( the Spanish word for "cup") and will go on sale at a starting price of £11,995 for the Ibiza model and £16,180 for the Leon. The new trim level will be offered in all three Ibiza body styles – sporty 3dr SC, practical 5dr, and capacious ST estate, and only as a five-door version for the Leon.

For the Ibiza model, the new Copa trim adds 16" Fabula alloy wheels, climate control (including refrigerated glovebox), rain and light sensors for automatic wipers and lights, dark tinted rear windows, leather steering wheel and gearknob, auto-dimming rear view mirror, and bespoke Copa upholstery.

For the Leon models, the new versions will add dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, front seat height and lumbar adjustment, cruise control, and bespoke Copa upholstery.

The new Copa model can be ordered with 1.4 16V petrol or 1.2 TDI CR turbodiesel engines for the Ibiza and 1.2-liter TSI 105 PS turbocharged petrol or 1.6-liter TDI common rail 105 PS turbodiesel for the Leon model.

2010 Seat IBE

You might say that you’ve already seen an Ibe concept from Seat. True! But this is the second version of the concept first unveiled at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. This time the concept gets its running gear and the interior.

The Ibe concept is powered by an electric motor located a the front that delivers 102 hp and 200 Nm of torque. This will allow the concept to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 9.7 seconds and to hit a top speed of 100 mph. The lithium-ion battery are positioned in the rear and offer an autonomy of around 130 kilometers.

But the Ibe is more than just a simple electric concept: it also previews the company’s future design language. Its athletic styling and clear, precise lines indicate the next evolutionary step in the SEAT design DNA. Style elements with unmistakable character - reduced to the minimum but perfectly executed – demonstrate the strategic quality of SEAT design in the development of future model generations.

Updated 12/07/2010: Seat has released a video of the IBE, presenting not only the concept’s exterior and interior, but also a few shots of the car on the road. Enjoy!

Press release after the jump.

Seat Leon Cupra R310 White Edition

Remember the Seat Leon Cupra R 310 WCE revealed back in June? It’s okay, if you don’t because we’re going to give you a little refresher anyway. The Cupra R 310 WCE was a special edition Cupra R limited to only 200 units and powered by a 310 HP engine. We are assuming that special edition did well enough because Seat has announced a second version of the special edition called the R310 White Edition. It was built as a competitor for the Focus RS, but the competition will only lie in Sweden because that is the only region who will enjoy the white model.

Based on the Leon Cupra R the R310 White Edition is powered by the same 310 HP engine as its previous brother, but it will be distinguished by a white body decorated with two-tone strips. Seat is also offering sport 19-inch wheels, bucket seats, and a sports suspension.

The price for this beauty is 34,000 euro. There is one setback, however. Seat has announced that any customer with the desire to purchase this vehicle will have to take a special driving course in order to learn how to handle the car.

2011 Seat Ibiza Ecomotive

Like with any other model in Seat’s line-up, the new generation Ibiza has also received an Ecomotive version. It will be available for 5-door, SC, and ST models and will go on sale in September.

The new Seat Ibiza Ecomotive is equipped with the 75 hp 1.2 TDI CR engine with DPF particulate filter and efficient systems such as the Auto Start/Stop and the energy recovery functions, making it one of the cleanest cars on the market.

The list of standard equipment is long and includes ABS, ESP, TCS plus EBA, Hill Hold Assist, and low tire pressure warning. The Ibiza will come with a few airbags to keep the driver and passengers safe. It will have a driver airbag plus passenger airbag and a head-thorax airbag. Audio equipment will include an MP3, Aux-in, and 4 speakers. Other features that will come as standard are air conditioning, electro-hydraulic power steering, 15 inch steel wheels, 185/60 tyres, anti-theft radio antenna, steering column controls, remote-controlled central locking, front fasten seatbelt warning, rear seat Isofix anchoring points plus Top Tether preparation, height adjustable driver and passenger seats, and three height adjustable rear headrests.

Press release after the jump.

Seat partners with Shakira for special-edition Ibiza and Leon "Good Stuff"

Seat may not be all that popular of a car brand compared to its competitors, but the Spanish automaker sure knows how to get the attention of each and every testosterone-laden man in the world.

The Volkswagen-owned car brand has joined forces with Colombian pop superstar and certified hot-stuff Shakira to release a pair of special-edition Seat variants for both the Ibiza and Leon hatchbacks.

Billed as the Ibiza Good Stuff and the Leon Good Stuff - the name, apparently, was taken from Shakira’s new album "She-Wolf" - each special-edition model comes with a number of engine options, as well as added goodies that include, among other things, a Tom Tom sat nav system, a black iPod Nano 8GB with Seat’s logo on it, Bluetooth hands-free capability, a multi-functional steering wheel, sports seats, heated side mirrors, fog lamps with cornering lights, and "Kenda" alloy wheels.

We’re not certain as to what extent the partnership is between Seat and Shakira, but we do know that the two special-edition Seat hatchies will play prominent roles as Shakira embarks on her Good Stuff European Tour.

2010 Seat Leon Cupra R by JE Design and Kobia

As we were saying yesterday, all of the news lately has been about football. Even in the automotive industry! For example, if England has its very own customized Pagani Zonda, then why can’t Germany get its own Seat Leon Cupra R tuned by JE Design and Kobia?

Je Design wanted to have a faster and a more muscular car. To do that they added a wide body kit that includes subtle wheel arch extensions, a new front spoiler with large air intakes, headlamp mask, a new center spoiler, new side skirts, rear apron, central diffuser insert, and a powerful rear wing with recessed logo.

Under the hood, Je Design updated the 2.0-liter TFSI engine’s output to 310 HP and 400 NM of torque. The result is a sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 161 mph.

The package also includes an adjustable suspension that lowers the ride by 44 mm and a set of 10x18-inch, black glossy wheels wrapped around 255/35 R 18 tires.

What’s a little surprising about this tuning package is that JE Design wanted to specifically target the car’s output to provide a speedier model of the Cupra R, but they only brought up the horsepower to 310. The only reason this is confusing to us is because we know they could have boosted it to 330hp as they did with another Seat Leon Cupra R back in March. Come on, JE Design. If you are going to try and go the extra mile for the World Cup at least give us everything we know you’ve got.