Do we detect some “me-tooism” across the Volkswagen brands? While we liked the Seat IBX Concept when it was revealed at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, we wonder if VW isn’t stacking its models a little, with plans to produce the IBX based on the new Audi Q3. The savings with such a project are obvious - both models would be produced at the Martorell plant meaning production line economics can be maximised, and the IBX would be the second new model born from the Volkswagen Tiguan.

What we loved about the Seat IBX might be the very thing that disappears in a production version - its edgy design. The Audi Q3 comes across as just another Audi, but this three-door coupé-crossover could be just what Seat needs to distinguish its crossover from the rest. Audi can afford this, because it’s an upmarket brand; Seat can’t really allow itself to produce an anonymous crossover, though.

If VW goes conservative on the design though, the IBX will join the growing ranks of crossover models with nothing to set it apart. We could see this project working if Seat keeps the IBX a little different and markets it at lower price, in which case it could also find a future for itself on the Chinese car market as well, for example.

Continue reading: Analysis: Seat IBX to production and the design challenge

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Looking similar in some design elements to the Skoda VisionD Concept we saw live at Geneva is the Seat IBX prototype. After the Tribu Concept was seen about four years ago, this is the second attempt at a Seat SUV. The compact IBX actually fits into the crossover category and is another example of the fusion between an SUV and a coupé. It’s a good looking, sporty car with a high waist line and dynamic lines. It has a hybrid drivetrain set-up but other details are scarce at the moment.

Apart from the concept elements like the whacky front headlights which would eventually disappear in a production model, we’d be interested to see if Seat could make space in its range for one of these. The compact SUV/crossover segment is becoming more competitive, but if Seat made something like this in a practical but sporty style for a younger market, we could see some models being sold.

Seat IBX Concept live at 2011 Geneva Motor Show

Continue reading: Seat IBX Concept live at Geneva

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The Seat IBX Concept will show live at the Geneva Motor Show tomorrow and is a follow-up Seat off-road model to the previously seen Tribu. Styling cues from the Seat IBE concept have been used including triangular shapes and side nerve lines, while the overall bulk and size reminds us of the Ford Kuga. No engine or technical details have been released so far but we expect them later today or at the show.

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