The SportCoupe "Bocanegra" heralds a new vehicle concept
03/04/2008
Seat
The Geneva Motor Show is the venue chosen by SEAT to unveil the new SportCoupe "Bocanegra" prototype, a vehicle that oozes character and sportiness. This is the beginning of SEAT's new short-term product venture that will feature the glitzy launch of the new Ibiza generation and the new saloon that will be unveiled in 2009.
SEAT President Erich Schmitt stressed the importance of the new SportCoupe, confirming that "the SEAT SportCoupe ´Bocanegra´ is a sporty, design oriented prototype, with which we want our brand´s position to stand out. At the same time, the ´Bocanegra´ is an outlook of the future design language of SEAT."
Captivating, sporty design
Able to convey intense emotion at first glance, the "Bocanegra" bears the "practical, good looks" theory applied by SEAT Design Director Luc Donckerwolke.
The car gets its name from the spectacular black clad front, whose top half is set off by captivating dark Perspex from which the LED headlamps emerge. The attractive frontispiece combines with the profile surrounding the brand's classical "S" logo, which is now black with a chrome frame.
The "Bocanegra's" low-slung, 4-metre long compact coupe body offers a perfect synergy between sporty looks and behaviour and the functionality, roominess and high-level safety standards required to adapt to almost any need.
Other attention-getting elements are the panoramic glass roof that floods the interior with daylight, the position of the side indicators at the tip of the door mirrors and low-profile 235/35 tyres on attractive 19 inch alloy rims.
The rear-end looks stand out especially with robust shoulders which house the light clusters, and the central tailpipe integrated in the rear bumper, which lends the vehicle a more compact, appealing image.
Finely detailed interior
The "Bocanegra" passenger compartment features different colours and textures. The lightweight sporty design of the dashboard stands out at the front, and all the elements have been stylised, following the lead of the central console which houses the climatiser.
The instrument panel reflects the brand's distinct sporty look. Both dials have been newly designed, and feature a panel between them that contains the telephone with its unmistakable menu. Communication functions are carried out through controls on the steering wheel, maximising the connectivity between the driver, the vehicle and other peripheral devices such as Palm telephones and Bluetooth connection.
Furthermore, the lightweight design of elements such as the armrests and bucket-type seats is enhanced by the use of leather and semi-transparent Perspex.
Twin turbo TSI engine
SEAT's new prototype is equipped with the unprecedented combination of a powerful efficient twin turbo 1.4 TSI engine and seven-speed DSG gearbox with steering wheel mounted controls.
Mating this engine, whose small cylinder head results in low CO2 emissions, together with the sporty fast DSG gearbox, is sure to provide lots of driving excitement. The possibility of changing gears by flicking the paddles on the steering wheel and the outstanding stability and precision of SEAT's hallmark "Agile Chassis" afford drivers an exhilarating, sporty driving experience.