Frankfurt Motor Show 2011: SEAT IBL concept

SEAT may have a reputation for designing nifty little hatchbacks that are equally at home in traffic and on the track but their Frankfurt showstopper is a stonking great saloon concept car.

The IBL concept aims to show off the latest evolution in the Spanish automaker’s design language, while still maintaining SEAT’s distinctive “arrow” nose. The classy 20-inch wheels feature a single and double spoke design and muscular wheel arches.

There’s no excess fuss on the outside - just long, clean, minimalist lines with a touch of the four-door coupe in the lean styling. Coupe styling is here to stay, especially amongst large European saloon, it would seem, and the IBL is no exception. It is 4.67m long and 1.85m wide. The long wheelbase of 2.71m gives it short at the overhangs front and back for strong proportions. Keeping things bright, the LED headlights have been designed as a “light sculpture” with sharp strokes of light.

Another design feature, which is also practical, is a set of low-down air intakes inspired by the design of an electrical circuit board. This also reflects that the IBL is a plug-in hybrid with zero emissions capability. The advanced system features three modes - “Travel” for relaxed driving, “Sport” for concentrated fun driving and “Efficiency” for plug-in hybrid ecologically sound motoring.

Other little details on the IBL include small fold-out door handles, a light leather interior, curved glass on the dashboard and metal feet on the wing mirrors. Even the air-conditioning vents get a special touch with striking aluminium frames. The driver can get his or her information in either analogue or digital form and the sat-nav is powered by Google Earth.

James Muir, president of SEAT, says the IBL “does not pre-empt a specific model” but over the next few years, we can expect “the spirit of the IBL reflected in several series-production models.”













www.seat.co.uk/IBL

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SEAT

Enjoying the show so far? Why not check out our Frankfurt Motor Show 2011 mega gallery of hot new models…


By Georgia Lewis

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