SEAT Bocanegra unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show
SEAT, the Spanish arm of the Volkswagen Group, pulled a surprise out of the hat three weeks ago at the 78th Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland. The unveiling of their latest concept, the Bocanegra, came as a surprise to many people, myself included. Why? Well, not only does the car represent the company’s first model with a new styling direction, but it also previews the new Ibiza supermini, due later this year.
Concept is said to preview the new Ibiza supermini
And if the new Ibiza looks like this, then it should shake up the small car market. SEATs have never been this sexy.
2009 Ibiza Cupra may very well look like this
How much of the Bocanegra will make it onto the finished Ibiza is of course, a matter of debate, but SEAT has a habit and a history of transferring concept car styling onto its mainstream models, as the Leon of 2005 proved, entering production virtually unchanged from the concept teaser of the same name. The Bocanegra’s proportions, shoulder line, sharply-creased panels, panoramic sunroof and swept back headlights are all expected to make the cut. The 19-inch wheels probably won’t though, and are destined to be exclusive footwear worn only by the small car concept.
‘Bocanegra’ means ‘black mouth’ in Spanish
Sharp-suited and aggressive, the Bocanegra is designed by Luc Donckerwolke, whose day job in recent years has been creating the Audi-era Lamborghinis such as the Gallardo and Murcielago. While the new supermini’s face is masked by the black grille and gaping bumpers, the basic look should stay. And why Bocanegra? Translated into Spanish, the word means ‘black mouth’, and references the nickname of the SEAT 1200 Sport, which had a full-width black plastic nose. Based on Fiat 128 mechanicals, the Iberian maker built the original Bocanegra from 1974 to 1980.
SEAT 1200 Sport also nicknamed the Bocanegra
Inside, quilted black and red leather sports seats are the order of the day, and are a further nod towards a retro past, while a flat-bottomed steering wheel adds a further sporty touch. The super wide air vents have been styled into an interior design cue, and could be an end to boring and functional cabin design if they make production.
Will retro interior make it through to production?
And, although this new Ibiza teaser previews the new performance-orientated model, the Cupra (as the hot variant is expected to be called), the 2009 range will also include standard and eco-versions. The Bocanegra, though, is powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine, using VW’s latest TSI technology. Said to be rated at around 200bhp, the car should be hot enough for most people, and when coupled to the clever seven-speed DSG twin-clutch gearbox, it should be plenty quick enough, too.
Leather quilted sports seats pep up concept’s inside
With Ford having unveiled the production version of the new Fiesta at Geneva, too, the supermini war is hotting up. Volkswagen is said to be readying an all-new Polo – and this is important in VW circles, as the new Ibiza and Skoda Fabia share that car’s chassis and running gear – but this is rumoured to break cover in 2009, unless the German company pulls out all the stops for the Paris Motor Show in the autumn.
Luc Donckerwolke usually designs Lamborghinis
With Ford and SEAT making small cars sexy again, the new Polo has got an awful lot to live up to. Let’s hope Volkswagen can deliver. Its sporty Spanish child has shown it can do the business, but will the parent company predictably play it safe, or create a sizzling supermini supermodel of its own?