| Concept Car | Frankfurt Motor Show | SEAT Tribu concept |
Meet SEAT's Tribu concept, debuting at
Frankfurt this week. Under ex-Lamborghini man, Design Director Luc Donckerwolke, the four-wheel drive SUV gives insight into the company's future design direction - a clear evolution from the 'Auto Emocion' flavour of the Altea and Leon. The Tribu features trapezoidal front headlamps, grilles and air vents on what is a purposeful and effective high stance on squared wheelarches housing 20-inch five-spoke alloys.
The three-door shape shows off a windscreen that flows backward onto the roof in full panoramic glory, whilst rear cluster lights are hidden in the tinted glass rear hatch, only becoming visible when illuminated.
The Tribu offers three driving modes (Urban, Sport or Freerun) based upon the driving environment and fully switchable from inside the four-seater cockpit. Each setting alters a number of the car's parameters including engine management, suspension and gearbox.
Although still in concept form, we think SEAT is planning to build the Tribu. Parent company Volkswagen is about to put a compact SUV on sale (
the Tiguan), so it's conceivable that SEAT will eventually have its own version. Mitsubishi also showcased its compact SUV concept - the cX - in Frankfurt, suggesting manufacturers are really taking note of the rapidly growing sector.
Kyle Molyneux - 15 Sep 2007