Secret new SEATs reveal all

By Jack Rix

01st September 2008

Spot the difference! Does the glitzy three-door SUV pictured above seem familiar? That’s because it’s SEAT’s Tribu concept, first seen at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year. However, the monochrome design sketch on the right is how the final production version of the Tribu soft-roader will look!

In similar circumstances to the Mazda MX-5 sketches we revealed in Issue 1,026, these production-ready drawings were registered by SEAT at the patent office – only to be leaked to the world’s press soon after from an unknown source.

The most significant change in the transition from show car to production is the addition of two extra doors. But aside from a more practical layout, the distinctive SEAT front grille, flared wheelarches and gently tapered roofline remain largely unchanged.

Predicted to go on sale in early 2010, the Tribu will be based on its VW Tiguan stablemate. Customers can expect a similar choice of 1.4 and 2.0-litre TSI petrol engines, or a 2.0 TDI.