| Concept car world debut | 2008 Geneva Motor Show | SEAT Bocanegra |
SEAT's surprise concept at the
Geneva Show bears a name few car fans will recognise, though it does refer to a SEAT coupé of the seventies. Bocanegra can be directly translated as 'black mouth' and there's nothing cryptic about the title, as the concept's nose is dominated by an aggressive black and Perspex finish.
That's actually one of the few parts of the car that is unlikely to see the light of a SEAT showroom though, as the rest of the concept hints at the replacement for the Ibiza supermini. Ex-Lamborghini design chief, Luc Donckerwolke, is certainly stamping his mark on the SEAT brand and if the new Ibiza retains the sculpted flanks and distinctive lamp cut-outs of the Bocanegra, it'll be a fantastic looking car.
The new Ibiza will debut later this year and the product offensive continues in 2009 with the advent of a new SEAT saloon in the upper-medium sector. Endowed with VW's new TSI engines and with the option of the DSG transmission, the new Ibiza should make a worthy challenger for Alfa Romeo's forthcoming small hatch.
Shane O' Donoghue - 5 Mar 2008