The Spanish automaker decided to make things official, and unveiled the Seat IBX Concept right before the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.
Measuring 4.26 m in length, 1.80 m in width and 1.62 m in height, the SEAT IBX Concept is a combination between an SUV and a sports coupe, which aims towards offering exceptional utility and versatility mainly to people living in urban areas.
Characterized by the same design language used on the IBE, the SEAT IBX Concept extracts its juice from an advanced hybrid powertrain which can run on just electricity (for up to 45 Km) in urban areas, and also offer and extensive range when the internal combustion engine kicks in.
The automaker says that candidates for the internal combustion engines include direct-injection TDI and TSI units from the latest Seat models, along with all the efficiency enhancement features from the Ecomotive programme. The standard Seat IBX is expected to be front wheel drive while a 4WD drive model could also be offered as optional.
The automaker did not mention weather or not the Seat IBX concept will go into production.
Seat press release :
* Urban sports utility vehicle for an active lifestyle
* New SEAT design DNA combines SUV and sports coupé
* Conceived for an advanced hybrid powertrain application
* Possible expansion of the SEAT product portfolio
SEAT is continuing the ambitious development of its new design DNA with the unveiling at the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show of the new SEAT IBX concept car.
This stunning urban sports utility vehicle concept 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 exceptional 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 new design language, the compact IBE electric sports coupé from last year met with enormous positive feedback. The IBX now demonstrates the evolutionary development of this new genetic code from SEAT Design in a completely different vehicle architecture – an exciting crossover between SUV and sports coupé.
The sporty alternative in the SUV segment
Measuring 4.26 metres long, the SEAT IBX expands Europe’s extremely successful compact SUV segment with a 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 urban areas.
James Muir, President of SEAT, S.A. said: ‘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.
‘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
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.
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 a more accurate expression of the word ‘crossover’.
‘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,’ said SEAT Chief Designer Luc Donckerwolke.
‘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 SUVs.’
Compact format with powerful proportions
At a length of 4.26 metres, the SEAT IBX is relatively compact. However, its width of 1.80 metres and height of 1.62 metres ensure powerful proportions. And even though the IBX possesses the full versatility and utility of an SUV, with its two doors, stretched roofline and distinctive rear roof pillar it forms the perfect crossover between sports utility vehicle and classic sports coupé.
The front of the SEAT IBX is defined by full LED technology headlamps 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.
Meanwhile 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 of 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 an 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.
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.
Importantly the entire vehicle bears no extraneous ornamentation. 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.
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 car must be just as multi-faceted. In response, 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.
The powertrain 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 is always guaranteed and unlimited mobility supplied courtesy of the internal combustion engine.
Possible combustion engine 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 programme. 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.
