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2009 Seat @ Barcelona Motor Show Review

May 2009
Filed under: SEAT Car News | SEAT Headlines

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This afternoon SEAT made a grand statement at this years Barcelona International Motor Show by revealing no less than five new cars making their world debut. SEAT president Erich Schmitt proudly presented the brands range of novelties to the press, and explained the strategy currently adopted by the Spanish company.

With these additions, SEAT is displaying a uniquely modern range of vehicles, starting with the new Ibiza Bocanegra, a car whose dashingly sporty good looks, especially on the front end, do not go unnoticed from any angle. Furthermore, SEAT is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the legendary Ibiza, the companys most popular model by far. To commemorate this feat, the brand has created a special “25th anniversary version of the new Ibiza. At the same time, SEAT is exhibiting the four generations of the model at the show, where visitors can admire the evolution of the Ibiza since its initial launch in 1984.

Two further highlights at the SEAT stand are the new León CUPRA 2009 and the Ibiza FR, two cars that enhance SEATs sporty range and combine an imposing silhouette with first-order performance levels, as well as the definitive version of the Exeo ST which was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show.

Without a doubt, this is a highly significant display for SEAT, and it comes at a positive time for the company owing to the excellent sales results for March published by TNS in their Greencar report. SEAT leads the list of registered models with emissions levels equal to or lower than120 g/km with a total of 6,517 units registered from January to March 2009, while at 4,257 units sold, the SEAT Ibiza is the best-selling vehicle with the same emissions levels.

One of the most significant new products revealed today by SEAT president Erich Schmitt is the new SEAT Ibiza Bocanegra, a unique, exclusive vehicle that features an uncanny exterior design and a personalised interior, which has undergone major modifications compared to the rest of the range models.

The main characteristic feature of the new Ibiza Bocanegra is found on the front of the car. As its name suggests, the imposing black volume at the front is reminiscent of a mask, which strengthens the stylishness of SEATs new model.

The top half of the front on the Ibiza Bocanegra is emphasised by completely black double headlights and the central grille with its honeycomb mesh and black surround, including its innovative air vents at the base. The bumper combines black with the body colour with a broad grille beneath that takes care of cooling the engine.

Other outstanding exterior elements are the door mirrors with their black housing, the sunroof and the attractive 17 inch “Sira rims and low profile 215/40 R17 tyres. But what really identifies the personality of the Spanish brands new car is the “Bocanegra badge centred on the hatch door, a characteristic trait of SEATs most exclusive versions.

On the inside, the first thing that gets your attention on the Ibiza Bocanegra are the seats, which are upholstered with specific fabric made up of rhomboids stitched together in red that lend a definitively sporty look. In addition, the upper part of the seats sports the logo that identifies this version -- a capital “B also stitched in red.

Another eye-catching element in the interior is the three-spoke steering wheel, which features a capital “B for Bocanegra in aluminium in the middle of the vertical spoke, as well as the seven-speed DSG shift paddles. Different shades of black prevail in the interior, especially the Brillante Black and Carbón Black of several trim elements.

The new SEAT Ibiza Bocanegra will be available in the FR and CUPRA versions equipped with the twin charged 1.4 TSI engine, either with 150 or 180 hp output, featuring a broad equipment line-up including the self-blocking XDS system, which anticipates traction loss to the wheels and limits tractive force to the wheel expected to lose grip, ESP, TCS + EBA, ABS, Hill Hold Assist, low tyre pressure warning, driver and passenger airbag, head-chest airbag, sports suspension and cornering foglights.

The 1984 Paris Motor Show was the chosen backdrop to unveil the SEAT Ibiza to the world. It was a memorable date, and signalled the beginning of a success story that has reached the present time with the recent launch of the fourth generation of the Spanish companys most emblematic model.

The Ibiza is an important milestone in the Spanish brands history. For this reason, and in order to celebrate its 25th year, SEAT is showcasing a special 25th anniversary edition model at the Barcelona Motor Show, which will be available in the SC and 5-door body styles equipped with the 85 hp 1.4 and 105 hp 1.9 TDI engines and Sport trim.

Equipment on this historical version includes climate control, dark glass, 17 inch alloy rims, parking position door mirrors, passenger airbag disconnection and USB port + Bluetooth, all for the additional price of 384.27 'š¬ on the Diesel engine version and 400 'š¬ with the petrol engine.

At the same time, SEAT has prepared an exhibit of the four generations for the Barcelona show, where visitors can take a look at the evolution of the Ibiza since its launch, including one representative model of each of the four generations that have made this car a powerful icon for generations of Spanish youth and Spanish motoring alike.

The most powerful car in the SEAT range is going on sale before the summer with a renewed exterior and revamped interior appointments equipped with the 240 hp 2.0 TSI engine.

Visitors to the Barcelona Motor Show can admire the design of a car that has become a benchmark in terms of performance and road handling, mainly thanks to the excellent work carried out on its chassis and its powerful, efficient 240 hp 2.0 TSI engine. And the best is yet to come, since the improvements made to the 2009 version, coupled with the electronic XDS self-blocking mechanism, make the new León CUPRA a true segment leader.

The new León CUPRA will be available across the SEAT dealership network for 27,350 'š¬, featuring a complete standard equipment line-up including XDS, ABS, TCS, ESP and EBA emergency braking, low tyre pressure warning, driver and passenger airbag, side and head airbag, climate control, SEAT Mediasystem navigation equipment, cornering foglights, trip computer, cruise control, rear window seat Isofix anchoring points, sports suspension and CD radio + MP3 + 8 speakers + Aux-in, among others.

The sporty range of the new Ibiza has grown with the spectacular FR version, which combines innovative design with the character and exclusivity of the 150 hp twin charged 1.4 TSI engine and seven-speed DSG gearbox with steering wheel shift paddles.

True to its name, the SEAT Ibiza FR features an exceptionally sporty exterior styling that is matched by its interior appointments. The athletic look of the whole is first noticeable on the newly styled front and rear bumpers and front honeycomb grilles, with a chrome frame surrounding the one in the centre, that combine with the Ibizas characteristic Arrow Design. Other specific tell-tale FR elements on the exterior are the silver colour door mirrors, the 215/40 tyres on specific 17 inch wheels, or the twin lateral tailpipe.

The interior features shiny black inserts on the radio casing, instrument panel binnacle hood or the base of the automatic DSG gearknob. Other contributing elements to its sporty looks are a specific instrument display that carries the FR logo, the newly designed steering wheel featuring built-in DSG shift paddles and the seat design, whose contours and stitched upholstery are different than on the rest of the range.

As far as equipment is concerned, SEATs new car is equipped with standard XDS, ESP, TCS + EBA, ABS, Hill Hold Assist, low tyre pressure warning, driver and passenger airbags, head-chest airbag, trip computer, cruise control, climate control, CD radio with MP3 + 6 speakers + Aux-in connection and sports suspension, among others.

After its unveiling at the last Geneva Motor Show, the definitive version of the new SEAT Exeo ST is proudly on display in Barcelona before going into the dealership network this summer to expand the companys offer into the competitive B segment.

The new Exeo ST looks very similar to the four-door sedan version. The only differences lay in the length of the body, which is 4.666 metres long, and the boot volume, of 442 litres, with increased load capacity when the rear seats are folded. Other elements that identify the new family version are the new rear hatch, which increases load capabilities with a broader access and a flat cargo area, and the roof rails, which are handy for transporting bulkier items.

Quality can be felt all through the new SEAT Exeo ST, making it the perfect partner for those who need a lot of room for travelling with the whole family plus luggage, or for customers who require a car with a lot of cargo space to enjoy their hobbies and free time.

The SEAT Exeo ST offer, as well as the sedan, includes six engine choices, three petrol and three Diesel equipped with common rail technology. The entire range complies with stringent EU5 emissions legislation, and is available in three trim levels " Reference, Style and Sport.

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