Archive for SEAT

The hottest and probably the best looking production version of the SEAT Ibiza was unveiled in Barcelona at the 2009 Barcelona International Motor Show this week. The new Ibiza Bocanegra (FYI, the word Bocanegra means Black Mouth) is a tribute to the styling of the SEAT 1200 Sport back from the 1970s.

The Ibiza range already has a 150 PS Ibiza FR and a 180 PS Ibiza Cupra, but the new SEAT Ibiza Bocanegra offers both 150 PS and 180 PS tune versions of the 1.4 liter TSI engine, and adds a unique Bocanegra bodykit which looks way more aggressive and fitting of the 180 PS than the sedate-looking-in-comparison Ibiza Cupra.

The engine is mated to a 7-speed twin clutch transmission with paddle shifters, and an XDS electronic LSD. It’s small, light, has 180 PS and most importantly plenty of torque thanks to the twin-turbocharging. A nice alternative to other good-looking hot hatches like the MiTo and the Cooper S.

Look after the jump for more shots!

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SEAT claims that its SEAT Ibiza ECOMOTIVE is the most “ecological” car in its segment. The car driven by Austrian long-haul specialist Gerhard Plattner’s 1.4 liter TDI engine (with a peak output of 80 horses) travelled a distance of 1,562km across Spain, France and Germany on a single tank of fuel.

The exact amount used was 45.53 liters, calculated from topping up the fuel to the same level after the drive and measuring how much fuel went in. The car travelled under the supervision of the International Police Motor Corporation and cruised along at speeds of up to 110km/h along motorways in Spain and France. 1,562km from 45.53 liters is about 34.3km per liter, or about 2.9 liters per 100km. That model Ibiza’s rated fuel consumption was 3.7 liters per 100km, so 2.9 liters is impressive.

Remember the Nissan Lightfoot Quest? In that competition, a 1.6 manual Grand Livina was claimed to have managed just a little over 36km per liter of petrol, which is slightly more than this advanced turbodiesel engine manage. So is the basic 1.6 liter engine without any variable valve timing in the Nissan more fuel efficient than Volkswagen’s 1.4 TDI? It makes the Nissan results a little more than hard to believe.

This is the new SEAT Ibiza FR, which sits just under the hot 180 PS Ibiza Cupra. Like the previous generation Ibiza FR, this new model also has a 150 PS engine but instead of the aging 1.8 liter turbo it uses a modern twin-charged 1.4 liter TSI engine (the Cupra also uses a twincharged 1.4) mated to a 7-speed twin clutch DSG. It even meets EU5 emission standards. SEAT have also fitted the Ibiza FR with the XDS system which uses the ESP system to brake the wheel that is losing grip to help with traction.

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Spanish-based auto maker Seat is taking part in the Geneva Motor Show with the Leon Ecomotive Concept. Compared to the outgoing Leon, Ibiza and Alhambra Ecomotive models, this Ecomotive Concept receives power from a new 1.6 liter TDI power plant that is able to produce 105HP. This new engine features a DPF particulate filter and common rail technology which help improve its fuel efficiency. More fitments introduced with this new engine include a new Start/Stop system as well as regenerative braking.

Thanks to the features mentioned above, this concept’s emissions output has been reduced by 20% to a total output of 99 grams per kilometer and fuel consumption is rated at a respectable 3.8 liters for every 100 kilometers traveled. With a not-too-bad looking exterior design, the Leon Ecomotive Concept features a similar interior with the outgoing Leon Ecomotive.

Other features which can be found in the concept include ESP, ABS and TCS, double front airbag, front side airbags, curtain airbag, 16 inch steel rims, Isofix anchoring points, front power one-touch anti-trap windows, air conditioning, MP3 CD radio, aux-in connection and six speakers, among others. Continue reading to view an image gallery.

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VW-owned Spanish automaker SEAT unveiled a prototype SEAT Leon that runs on a hybrid powertrain with a fully electric mode. The SEAT Leon Twin Drive Ecomotive has plug-in charging support, and is intended to go on full electric mode in cities and switch to the combustion engine on highways. The combustion engine can either be petrol or diesel powered. SEAT did not reveal any specifications on this car in the press release, but stated the first Twin Drive cars will appear in showrooms by 2014.

Look after the jump for 3 more photos.

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Volkswagen says the Concept BlueSport will make it into production if other marques in the group such as Audi and SEAT want it to, according to a senior Volkswagen executive. He says for economies of scale, the investment for the car needs to be shared between at least three different brands.

There is word that an Audi version is already ready (an Audi R4?), and such a roadster would fit into the SEAT brand image. Our graphics artist Theophilus Chin has already whipped up a SEAT version for us, depicted in this story. Porsche is also a suggested brand, as something like this could be positioned as an entry level model that could also reduce the company’s overall CO2 emissions levels, but when queries Porsche executives denied to comment.

Porsche also has this philosophy where an entry level Porsche or someone’s “first Porsche” is not a low-end model, but rather a hand-me-down or a used Porsche, in order not to compromise brand qualities. But I say that has long gone with models like the Cayenne. Look after the jump for more angles of the SEAT BlueSport.

Click here to read the rest of Volkswagen Concept BlueSport needs to be built by 3 brands for economies of scale

Volkswagen Group automaker SEAT has put a price on its new SEAT Exeo sedan in the UK, which will come in 7 variants with 3 engines, two diesels and one petrol. The entire range is turbocharged, with the 2.0 liter TDI diesel coming in 2 power outputs – 143 PS and 170 PS. The sole petrol engine is the nice 2.0 liter TSI engine with 200 PS.

The Exeo starts at £17,740.00 OTR including VAT and other misc charges for the SEAT Exeo S 2.0 TDI model, all the way up to £21,340.00 OTR for the SE Lux 2.0 TDI model with 170 PS of power. The only variant with the 2.0 TSI engine is the SEAT Exeo Sport 2.0 TSI priced at £19,410.00. All models are equipped with a 6-speed manual.

• SEAT Exeo S 2.0 TDI 143 PS – £17,740.00
• SEAT Exeo SE 2.0 TDI 143 PS – £18,345.00
• SEAT Exeo Sport 2.0 TDI 143 PS – £19,230.00
• SEAT Exeo SE Lux 2.0 TDI 143 PS – £20,410.00
• SEAT Exeo Sport 2.0 TDI 170 PS – £20,160.00
• SEAT Exeo SE Lux 2.0 TDI 170 PS – £21,340.00
• SEAT Exeo Sport 2.0 TSI 200 PS – £19,410.00

SEAT is the only brand of the entire Volkswagen Group that is not here in Malaysia – Volkswagen, Skoda, Audi, Lamborghini and even Porsche are all here, but if you’re still interested in the B7 Audi A4 I heard there’s still a few Quattro units from Euromobil. The rest of the world (well, Europe at least) can buy a brand new one with a SEAT badge.

Click here to read the rest of B7 A4-based SEAT Exeo gets priced in the UK

SEAT calls it a “Spanish surprise” in its Paris 2008 press release but I’ll leave it up to you to judge whether a rehashed B7 Audi A4 is surprising in any way.

I first drove the B7 A4 back in 2006 and found it to be a very nice place to be in, especially in the 2.0 TFSI guise that I had my hands on.

The Exeo updates the A4’s interior with circular air conditioning vents instead of square ones as well as a more modern instrument panel featuring classy dark LCD panels with white fonts. The B7’s interior is still very much “in” and carries a more classy and contemporary look as compared to the B8’s more sporty jetfighter-cockpit feel.

Under the hood of the Paris show car was the 2.0 liter TFSI engine putting out 200 PS and 280Nm of torque, mounted longitudinally in the engine bay but driving the front wheels.

Look after the jump for more shots of the SEAT Exeo.

Click here to read the rest of SEAT Exeo: Official Photos and Details

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SEAT will be displaying its latest hot hatch at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, the SEAT Ibiza Cupra. Based on the 3-door hatchback bodystyle, the SEAT Ibiza Cupra features a 180 PS version of the 1.4 liter TSI engine featuring both a supercharger and a turbocharger to maximize boost pressure across all engine RPM ranges.

Power is put through the front wheels via a 7-speed DSG gearbox which you can manually shift via steering wheel paddle shifts.

Styling touches for the Cupra edition of the car include a new front bumper, little air intakes surrounding the front grille, 17 inch alloy wheels, and a new rear diffuser integrating a trapezoidal-shaped centrally-mounted exhaust tail pipe. On the interior you get Cupra sports seats and aluminium foot pedals.

Look for two more photos after the jump.

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It looks like our regular contributor Theophilus Chin got it almost right with his previously published rendering of the SEAT Exeo, thanks to these recently registered designs with the European trademark office.

SEAT has admitted that the new Exeo will be largely based on the previous generation B7 Audi A4 with only changes to the front and rear.

The only differences between the real design and Theo’s rendering are the shape of the headlamps and the bumper grilles which are slightly different in shape. Theo’s is sleeker and curvier while the filed designs show a more upright and angled design.

Look after the jump for more designs or click the image on the left for a larger version.

Click here to read the rest of SEAT Exeo images exposed at trademark office