Seat Tribu Concept: Spanish Crossover Coupe SUV
Motoring Channel Staff - 6/September/2007
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Seat Tribu Concept
Is the Tribu based on the VW
Tiguan? We'll know soon enough
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Martorell, Spain — Seat
has launched its new Tribu concept car, an SUV crossover
vehicle with a powerful front end design, at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It sits quite high off the
ground, which suggests that it will have some off-road capabilities.
Yet it's also a 2-door vehicle, and with these coupe parallels it could
be tilted towards a performance vehicle. As
Seat explains, this dynamic-looking compact SUV showcases the latest
interpretation of ‘Auto Emoción’, and is the first
model wholly designed by Seat Design Director Luc Donckerwolke and his
team since his arrival at the Spanish brand from Lamborghini. The
Tribu signals an evolution of SEAT’s current design themes.
Elements of current SEAT aesthetics, such as a dynamic line on each
flank and a bold grille, sustain the brand’s clear identity.
However, aside from these trademarks, everything else is different,
with a more angular silhouette that communicates power, confidence and
dynamism. As with the Salsa in 2000, this concept car heralds the
advent of a new wave of SEAT models, and is therefore highly
significant. The SEAT Tribu is clearly an SUV, with its generous
ground clearance and four-wheel drive system, but its compact, 3-door
shape and sports-car-like detailing – such as impactful 20-inch
alloy wheels, prominent rear spoiler and the aforementioned dynamic
lines – are proof of its feisty, sporty character. Moving
to the interior, the Tribu is a 4-seater, whose front bucket seats
feature integrated seatbelts. Additionally, both have independent
heating circuits with vents at the back for rear seat heating. The
rear seats can be folded forward to increase load capacity, and are
separated by a console that doubles as an armrest or cupholder,
complete with a handy integrated storage compartment. Within the
dashboard, the Tribu has four screens, with a rev counter and a
speedometer on two further dials to provide all the information needed
for a safe, comfortable drive. Three of the screens display different
information according to the driving mode selected – Urban, Sport
or Freerun. These three driving modes can be chosen at the touch of a
button, whereby SEAT’s new concept car modifies its parameters
(engine management, suspension, gearbox, etc.) to adapt to different
surroundings – city, motorway and off-road. Related
articles:
- Seat Cupra GT
(2003)
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