2011 Seat IBX Concept

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SEAT unveils IBX urban SUV concept and Alhambra 4WD at Geneva International Motor Show

Today, at the opening press day of the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show, SEAT presented the global debut of IBX, its latest concept car, and the all-new Alhambra four-wheel drive.

SEAT IBX

The IBX is an urban SÚV, conceived to showcase advanced hybrid powetrain technology. But, it also represents the second chapter in the development of SEAT's new design language.

Twelve months ago at the Geneva International Motor Show, SEAT unveiled the IBE concept car, a compact sports coupé. IBE represented the first introduction of SEAT's new design language and today's unveiling of the IBX shows that the Brand's new design language is flexible and adaptable, allowing it to translate equally well from sports car to a larger, more robust configuration.

Like the IBE before it, the IBX gives a strong idea of the design DNA that will inhabit forthcoming SEAT production models.

Speaking during the SEAT press conference, James Muir, SEAT's President, said: 'IBX demonstrates that SEAT's new design language works as effectively in the form of an urban SÚV as it does as a compact sports coupe.

'You can clearly see that the IBX is closely related to the IBE.

'And like IBE, IBX has been conceived as a design which would accommodate the latest, state-of-the-art hybrid powertrain technology.'

ALHAMBRA 4WD

Following its successful launch at the end of 2010, SEAT used the opening of the Geneva Motor Show to present the new all-wheel drive version of its Alhambra spacious and flexible people carrier.

Thanks to its advanced all-wheel drive system, the Alhambra now provides additional sure-footed traction for maximum peace of mind in difficult conditions.

James Muir described the Alhambra 4WD as 'a spacious, flexible family carrier ideal for tackling long drives to an alpine winter holiday, for example. Effortless but efficient performance comes from its 2.0 TDI engine.'

Customer deliveries of the Alhambra 4WD will begin in May

Source - Seat

SEAT IBX Concept Car – the young, dynamic and useful crossover

• Úrban sports utility vehicle for an active lifestyle
• New SEAT design DNA combines SÚV and sports coupé
• Conceived for an advanced hybrid powertrain application
• Possible expansion of the SEAT product portfolio

SEAT is pushing forward with the development of its new design DNA – as an urban sports utility vehicle, the new SEAT IBX concept car combines the powerful character and sporty design language of the Spanish brand with a self-confident look and distinctive proportions. The SEAT IBX also boasts exceptionally utility and outstanding versatility, as well as sustainable mobility through resource conservation. Its drive would come from an advanced hybrid powertrain that combines local zero-emissions electromobility in the city with the extensive cross-country range of an internal combustion engine.

In laying the groundwork for SEAT's innovative, further developed design language, the compact IBE electric sports coupé from last year met with enormous resonance and positive feedback. The IBX now demonstrates the evolutionary development of this new genetic code from SEAT Design – in a completely different vehicle architecture, a crossover between SÚV and sports coupé.

The sporty alternative in the SÚV segment

At a length of 4.26 metres, the SEAT IBX expands Europe's extremely successful compact SÚV segment with a highly dynamic and unique design alternative. And with its combination of compact dimensions and wide-ranging versatility, the IBX is the perfect fit for an active lifestyle in the world's urban areas.

Determined renewal of the brand

'With the IBX, we are once again demonstrating just how intensively we are working on the renewal of the SEAT brand, and how determined we are to develop for the future,' says James Muir, President of SEAT, S.A. 'The IBX represents the values of the SEAT brand perfectly – with its unique design, its youthful energy and its outstanding sustainability as a result of its hybrid drive concept. Even though a decision has yet to be taken, we could certainly envisage the IBX as a future expansion of our product portfolio.'

Design – pure precision and sporting finesse

2011 Seat IBX Concept

Following the IBE from 2010, the IBX offers a further, extremely promising insight into the ongoing development of the SEAT Design world. The pure forms, the precise lines and the exact surfaces of the IBX convey the same distinctive design language that, in its modernity, sustains and strengthens the SEAT identity.

Perfect crossover from SÚV to sports coupé

2011 Seat IBX Concept

As the first evolution of this new design line, the IBX demonstrates just how well this design language works in combination with a completely different vehicle architecture and significantly larger dimensions. In its proportions, the IBX is a sports utility vehicle, but in its appearance it is clearly a sports coupé – it is hard to imagine more accurate expression of the word 'crossover'.

The gene pool of the next generation

'The IBX was created from the gene pool of our next vehicle generation. This design DNA will have a profound impact on every one of our models,' says SEAT Chief Designer Luc Donckerwolke. 'And, with this urban sports utility vehicle, we are proving that with our design, our sporty pedigree and our youthful character, we can also create a vehicle concept that is unique among SÚVs.'

Compact format with powerful proportions

At a length of 4.26 metres, the SEAT IBX is relatively compact. However, its width of 1.80 meters and height of 1.62 meters ensure powerful proportions. And even though the IBX possesses the full versatility and utility of an SÚV, with its two doors, stretched roofline and distinctive rear roof pillar it forms the perfect crossover between sports utility vehicle and classic sports coupé.

Sharp look courtesy of LED headlamps

The front of the SEAT IBX is defined by headlamps in full-LED technology that are as sophisticated as they are distinctive. They display the characteristic V that is a hallmark of the SEAT arrow design. The entire front end bears this arrow shape, with radiator grille and bonnet also picking up the V-form. The surfaces above the wheel arches are clearly accentuated in their lines like carefully toned, sinuous muscle. Equally distinctive are the air intakes low down on the front end and featuring integrated fog lamps – their wide positioning reinforces the impression of width and power.

Distinctive precision along the flanks

The side view of the IBX emphasises its powerful stature – a clearly defined shoulder, the powerful, three-dimensional flanks and the sharply differentiated surfaces underscore the dynamic look, as do the large wheels featuring an aerodynamic five twin-spoke design. Typical for SEAT are the two distinctive scores that run from the front wheel arch into the door and over the rear wheel arch. The length of the stretched roofline is further emphasised by the rear spoiler and the narrow horizontal of the glass surfaces along the sides, with the distinctive, trapezoidal roof pillar creating the impression of exceptional solidity. The sharply cut exterior mirror is mounted on the door, as on a sports car. Sharp precision is also evident in the slender, recessed door openers.

Light-guide rear lights featuring arrow design

The rear end adopts the characteristic form of the front and reinterprets it. The rear lights in LED light-guide technology and the rear windscreen with its additional angle in the centre also bear the arrow motif, while the suggestion of a diffuser beneath the bumper surface derives its form from the front air intakes.

Perfect design needs no ornamentation

The entire vehicle bears no ornamentation – perfect design requires no decoration. Every single line has the function of structuring the volume and surfaces of the car, each of the muscles emerging from the form emphasising the sporty design. The reduction of form consistently applied and the precision in every detail are fixed features of the SEAT Design philosophy – even more in the future than before.

Concept – flexible mobility with responsibility

The modern, young lifestyle has many facets, offering endless options for job and leisure time, for friends and family. However, as a partner in mobility, the automobile must be just as multi-faceted. The IBX has the perfect format – it boasts plenty of interior space and the variability to meet all requirements, yet it remains agile and compact enough to fit the bill on the streets and parking spaces of an urban area. And this is where a vehicle height of 1.62 metres with its suitably lofty seating position is invaluable. Particularly in dense urban traffic it delivers enormous benefits in terms of visibility, leading to greater safety and a relaxed form of superiority.

Zero emissions in the city with excellent range cross-country

The drive concept is perfect for the mobility requirements of an urban area, while meeting personal expectations of freedom. The vehicle, with its electric range of 45 kilometres, can cover many everyday journeys – with zero local emissions and sustainable responsibility. And yet its range is not limited, personal freedom always guaranteed – unlimited mobility is supplied courtesy of the internal combustion engine

Possible candidates are the state-of-the-art direct injection TDI and TSI engines from the modern SEAT line-up. And, of course, the IBX is equipped with all the efficiency technologies from the ECOMOTIVE program. In its base configuration, the IBX is set up for front wheel drive. However, a modern 4WD system might be an option for further enhanced mobility.

Source - Seat