Photo: SEAT
Good news if you’re into Volkswagen Group technology, want a small SUV, but need a bold design statement to get you excited on those cold mornings. Spanish carmaker SEAT is the one who can deliver all those things bundled up into a production model, and they will do so in a little less than three years.
Auto Express has learned that a production version of the IBX Concept you see above could be ready in 2016. They describe it as a crossover the same size as the Nissan Qashqai or Kia Sportage, but really that’s just a fancy way to describe C-SUVs.
The platform used will be the new MQB used by the Leon family of C-segment hatchbacks. This tells us that the SEAT SUV is three years away not because they are dragging their feet, but because it will likely share its architecture with similar VW and Skoda vehicles.
The bad news is, according to the aforementioned source, the vehicle has not yet received a green light for development. However, a decision could be made as early as next week. By 2016, the new SUV will be ideally placed to take advantage of the updated EA211 and EA888 engines. Next year, the 1.4 TSI will be upgraded to 150 PS, the 1.2 TSI to 110 PS and new diesels should be ready soon after for use in the Passat.
One Spanish model that has received the green lights is something called the Leon ST X-perience, which will be ready for summer 2014. It’s basically like Skoda’s Octavia Scout, with plastic body parts and about 1 inch added to its suspension.
Editor’s note: Well designed small SUVs are best sellers right now. Renault made 100,000 Capturs in half a year, the Evoque is JLR’s best seller and so is he Qashqai for Nissan. Why aren’t you rushing SEAT?
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