FRANKFURT, Germany — Seat, the Spanish arm of the Volkswagen Group, is aiming to give buyers a peek into the future with its Tribu concept, the first product to be created under the direction of former Lamborghini designer Luc Donckerwolke.
The quirky three-door hatchback, unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show today, is a mélange of trapezoidal shapes and metallic accents, with some unique and distinctive touches inside and out. The company says the Tribu "previews design trends for future Seat models."
The body is both tall and short, with lots of ground clearance, implying its potential as a sporty off-roader. In fact, the Seat design team has fashioned a vehicle with three modes — Urban, Sport and Freerun — that can change such parameters as suspension and powertrain settings depending on application.
The Urban mode prioritizes comfort, fuel economy and reduced emissions, while the Sport mode emphasizes driving dynamics and performance. The Freerun mode adjusts powertrain and suspension for off-road use. Instrument settings and displays also change from mode to mode. The vehicle rides on 255/50R20 tires.
The chunky exterior features a panoramic roof that blends into the windshield, as well as an integral roof rack and a two-stage tailgate. Head- and taillamps are made of LEDs; the hidden taillamps and brake lights can only be viewed when activated. Another unique feature is that the rotating door handles retract into the body when the vehicle is locked.
The four-passenger cabin, which is finished in black neoprene with matte metal accents, has front bucket seats with integrated seatbelts and individual air-conditioning circuits. The sequential gearchange system is controlled from the steering wheel, as are the audio and 3D navigation systems. Multimedia capabilities include MP3 with USB and iPod ports, as well as Internet access.
What this means to you: Although it boasts some novelties, we suspect the Tribu will mainly confirm the justice of Donckerwolke's checkered reputation as a stylist.
The quirky three-door hatchback, unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show today, is a mélange of trapezoidal shapes and metallic accents, with some unique and distinctive touches inside and out. The company says the Tribu "previews design trends for future Seat models."
The body is both tall and short, with lots of ground clearance, implying its potential as a sporty off-roader. In fact, the Seat design team has fashioned a vehicle with three modes — Urban, Sport and Freerun — that can change such parameters as suspension and powertrain settings depending on application.
The Urban mode prioritizes comfort, fuel economy and reduced emissions, while the Sport mode emphasizes driving dynamics and performance. The Freerun mode adjusts powertrain and suspension for off-road use. Instrument settings and displays also change from mode to mode. The vehicle rides on 255/50R20 tires.
The chunky exterior features a panoramic roof that blends into the windshield, as well as an integral roof rack and a two-stage tailgate. Head- and taillamps are made of LEDs; the hidden taillamps and brake lights can only be viewed when activated. Another unique feature is that the rotating door handles retract into the body when the vehicle is locked.
The four-passenger cabin, which is finished in black neoprene with matte metal accents, has front bucket seats with integrated seatbelts and individual air-conditioning circuits. The sequential gearchange system is controlled from the steering wheel, as are the audio and 3D navigation systems. Multimedia capabilities include MP3 with USB and iPod ports, as well as Internet access.
What this means to you: Although it boasts some novelties, we suspect the Tribu will mainly confirm the justice of Donckerwolke's checkered reputation as a stylist.
Add A Comment »