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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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