Geneva 2011: SEAT IBX Concept

SEAT has unveiled the new IBX, a conceptual study for a three-door small crossover, which picks up from where the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show Tribu concept left off. While the Tribu failed to make into production, VW Group’s Spanish subsidiary says the IBX is "a possible expansion of the SEAT product portfolio".

"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."

So what can we expect the future SEAT crossover to measure? Well, the concept version is 4.26 meters long, 1.80 meters wide and 1.62 meters tall, which makes it smaller than VW's Tiguan.

As is the case with an increasingly high number of concepts making their way to auto shows, the IBX is fitted with a an electric motor that powers the front wheels and a battery package that offers a range of around 45 kilometers (28 miles). However, the production version is sure to get a splash of direct injection TDI turbo diesel and a bit of TSI.

“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,” Seat's Chief Designer of former Lamborghini fame, Luc Donckerwolke.