04 Mar 08
Seat is previewing its upcoming new-generation Ibiza with a concept called Bocanegra.
Sharing its underpinnings with the latest Skoda Fabia and Volkswagen Polo, the new Ibiza will be a little larger and roomier than the outgoing model; there will be three- and five-door variants again, and Seat has indicated that an estate and even a roadster are under consideration. Seat is also promising much-improved quality and attention to detail.
Engines for the range will include 1.2 and 1.4-litre petrol engines, with turbochargers and direct injection, and the usual array of diesels; hotted-up FR and Cupra models will follow. This concept features the VW Group's 1.4 TSI twin-charger (turbo- and supercharged) engine with seven-speed DSG sequential-shift transmission.
The name Bocanegra ('black mouth') was a nickname for the late-'70s Seat 1200 Sport Coupe, so-called due to its black plastic front fascia panel. This front-end design is echoed in this Bocanegra's semi-transparent Perspex nose layout.
The production version of this Luc Donckervolke-designed concept will keep the Ibiza name, however. It will be launched at the Madrid Motor Show in May; five-door versions come first, arriving in the UK towards the end of the year, with the 'Sportcoupe' three-door on sale early 2009.
Check out the rest of our Geneva Motor Show coverage.
