Spanish car maker will add a new SUV to its lineup in 2016, while also looking into a new compact SUV and finalising the next Leon Cupra
Seat will produce a new SUV to rival the Nissan Qashqai in early 2016.
That's according to a company insider, who says the Spanish car maker, currently the only loss-making arm of the VW empire, aims to return to profit with the launch of the new model.
Seat is also going to re-establish its sporting reputation by building a Leon Cupra, which promises extreme high performance from an expected 280bhp, but in a more mature and upmarket wrapper.
Seat bosses are also in the very early stages of planning a supermini-sized SUV into its portfolio, but launching any car from the current research would be over three years away.
The new SUV model, which is based on the Golf family MQB family platform, currently exists as a full-size styling model at Seat’s Martorell design studio and is close to being signed off for production. A decision is expected by the new year, when full-scale engineering on the new car will commence, for an early 2016 launch.
Autocar has had a sneak preview of the new – and as yet unnamed - SUV. While the styling is in tune with the new Leon it has taken another step away from the dramatic body side blisters seen on the 2011 IBX concept. The new SUV is closer to the company’s 2011 IBL concept saloon.
Seat boss Jurgen Stackman told Autocar that the new styling direction was part of Seat’s move towards emphasising “craftsmanship and very tight body construction”.
Having launched the new three-model Leon range, Seat is now finalising the new Cupra and a limited-edition more extreme performance Cupra model. Both cars have relatively subtle styling add-ons and interiors that make use of colour-coded stitching and Alcantara trim.
The more upmarket theme is also reflected in the new Leon ST X-perience off-road estate. Due next summer, it’s equipped with a 4x4 drivetrain, a raised ride height, large gunmetal coloured alloys, Audi Allroad-style body cladding and Alcantara interior trim. This model is another gentle prod by Seat in pushing the brand further upmarket and away from its 1990s roots in cheap-and-cheerful transport.
Sources say that by 2016, Seat should be producing around 200,000 Leon models, 200,000 Ibiza models, 100,000 SUVs and 100,000 units of the Alhambra and Mii model, finally pushing the brand into the black.