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Photos et Articles réservés à un usage presse exclusivement - Publication en accord avec Seat France

Martorell, 30-04-2010

SEAT celebrates 60 years

Dear friend:

Please find all information and pictures regarding the 60th Anniversary of SEAT in the SEAT Media Center (http://media.seat.com).

Martorell, 19-04-2010

The new Alhambra – highly functional and efficient perfect for the active family





• All-new model range with the latest technology
• Intelligent versatility with up to seven seats and sliding doors
• Surprisingly dynamic with outstanding efficiency
• TDI and TSI power units with the lowest CO2 emissions in the segment
• Innovative hi-tech equipment, exceptional quality standards

The new SEAT Alhambra is the perfect companion for an active and sporty lifestyle. The Spanish brand‘s all-new Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) offers far more than plenty of space for family, business and hobbies. Its innovative versatility fits just as well to family requirements as it does to the demands of the high-mileage business driver. Just like every SEAT, sporting character and driving fun stand side by side with a high degree of usability. Thanks to its surprisingly dynamic handling, powerful drivelines ranging from 140 to 200 hp and the latest hi-tech equipment, every kilometre driven in the Alhambra is a joy – especially as they don’t come at the expense of outstanding efficiency. With average fuel consumption of only 5.5 litres, the Alhambra sets a benchmark in its segment.

“Innovation and intelligence are the keywords for our new Alhambra. It represents a major step forward in terms of usability as well as dynamics and safety,” says James Muir, President of SEAT, S.A. “Its impressive concept combines the highest levels of functionality and state-of-the-art technology with excellent quality and workmanship. This also includes – in typical SEAT fashion – exceptional good value-for-money.”

The Format
The Alhambra is the perfect size for a European MPV – its increased dimensions deliver an outstanding level of interior space. Thanks to its great visibility and nimble handling, however, it is incredibly manoeuvrable in city traffic. To put it into figures – with a length of 4.85metres, the new Alhambra is 22 centimetres longer than its predecessor, while it is wider by nine centimetres. There is even plenty of room for adults to sit comfortably in the third row, while the large sliding doors (with optional electric operation) enable easy entry. Luggage space is more than generous – with seating for five, the base volume is 885 litres, which grows to a maximum of 2,297 litres if only the front two seats are in use.

The seating concept
Central to development was the intelligent and extremely versatile seating concept - the new Alhambra comes with seating for five, six or seven. If more storage room is called for, the second and third-row seats must no longer be removed; instead, they can be sunk easily into the vehicle floor using the “Easy-Fold” system. The middle row seats can also be arranged longitudinally, with integrated child seats available as an option. The seating position of both the driver and front seat passenger combines the best visibility with an exceptionally sporty feel and perfect ergonomics.

The Design
The new Alhambra clearly conveys its dynamic character through its design. The broad, taut proportions, the clear lines and the distinctive wheel arches give it a powerful presence and a level of sporting appeal that is unusual in the MPV sector. With its arrow-shaped bonnet, hallmark grille and highly distinctive front skirt continuing the Arrow Design, the new Alhambra clearly displays its SEAT DNA. The sleek side profile shows great technical precision, with the sliding doors perfectly integrated. The muscular spoiler on the rear edge of the roof, the low-reaching rear hatch and the expansive light clusters dominate the rear end.

The engines
Beneath its attractive skin, the Alhambra is new in every detail and equipped with state-of-the-art technology. This starts with the engine line-up, where all TSI and TDI power units are equipped with direct fuel injection and turbocharging. The TSI units deliver 110 kW/150 hp and 147 kW/200 hp, while the two TDI engines offer 103 kW/140 hp and 125 kW/170 hp. Further efficiency technologies fitted as standard include the stop/start system and brake energy regeneration – the recovery of kinetic energy. These guarantee refined pulling power alongside exceptional efficiency. With an average fuel consumption of only 5.5 litres and CO2 emissions of just 143 g/km, the SEAT Alhambra 2.0 TDI with 103 kW/140 hp sets a clear benchmark in this vehicle class. The Alhambra TDI is also equipped with an SCR catalytic converter (Selective Catalytic Reduction), making even the diesel model one of the world’s cleanest MPVs.

The Technologies
Just like the TSI and TDI engines, the optional DSG dual-clutch transmission delivers the perfect combination of sporting character, comfort and efficiency. But the range of state-of-the-art and innovative technologies offered as optional equipment on the new Alhambra is considerably broader. It includes bi-xenon headlamps with adaptive control and full beam assistant. A sensor detects oncoming vehicles and automatically dips the beam. Also new, is the park/steer assistant, which autonomously manoeuvres the Alhambra into tight parking spaces - even perpendicular to the direction of travel. The rear view camera delivers an image of the world behind the vehicle. The panorama sliding roof has an opening that is 300 percent larger than a conventional sunroof, while three-zone Climatronic ensures optimum temperature in all seating areas. Electric motors simplify the operation of the sliding doors and rear hatch.

Production standard safety equipment is already well above the industry average. It encompasses seven airbags, including a driver-side knee airbag, and electric child locks on the rear doors. Also standard are ABS and ESP, including electronic braking assistant, trailer stabilisation and tyre pressure monitoring display. The Alhambra is offered in Reference and Style versions, where even the base equipment levels are extensive. The SEAT Alhambra will be produced in Palmela, Portugal, with market launch scheduled late this summer.

SEAT is the youthful and sporty car maker from Spain. SEAT offers unique, innovative design competence, state-of-the-art technologies and an outstanding level of precision and product quality.

Cars from SEAT are just as athletic as they are efficient, with driving fun being one of its key values. Its futuristic design language makes every SEAT unmistakable and immediately desirable. At the same time, the SEAT models are characterised by a high level of functionality and exceptionally good value-for-money, which makes innovative SEAT technology extremely attainable.

Home for SEAT is the town of Martorell near Barcelona. This is where the cars are designed, developed and, to a large degree, produced. The current line-up includes the Ibiza, Leon, Altea, Exeo and Alhambra. SEAT is part of the Volkswagen Group.

Martorell, 02-03-2010
DURING THE GENEVA MOTOR SHOW
SEAT is showcasing the IBE Concept, a compact sports coupé for the age of electric mobility



• New dynamic concept for sustainable urban mobility
• Featuring design traits that will shape future SEAT models
• SEAT is also unveiling the definitive Ibiza ST version

SEAT unveiled the IBE Concept at the Geneva Motor Show, a compact, sporty, urban vehicle equipped with an all-electric powertrain packaged with a fascinating design statement that shapes the silhouette of future company models. The Geneva event also witnessed the presentation of the new compact Ibiza estate version that will go on sale before next summer.

SEAT chairman James Muir single-handedly revealed the world premiere IBE Concept. He declared that “with the IBE, we are demonstrating that for SEAT, electric mobility will always be combined with excellent design and outstanding driving fun. The IBE is in the best of SEAT tradition of always offering the boldest and most youthful cars in their class. Our new concept is a reinterpretation of the widely perceived electric car. It is proportionately compact and features tremendous styling.”

With its manageable dimensions, its agility and dynamics, the SEAT IBE is the perfect fit for city streets. Tightly cut as a 2+2-seater, it is conceived for youthful lifestyles. With a maximum output of 102 hp (75 kW), and 200 Nm of torque, the power unit delivers exactly the kind of dynamic driving fun suggested by the exterior styling and a driving range of up to 130 km.

SEAT also presented the definitive version of the new Ibiza ST, the compact estate styling of the company's best-selling model. According to Muir, “The Ibiza is SEAT's most popular model and an example of successful leadership in its segment. With the new family-sized ST version in the showrooms before the summer, we expect to boost sales of this model as well as increase the production volume at the Martorell factory.“

The Ibiza ST differs from the SC and five-door versions in its overall body length, at 4.23 metres, and in its boot volume, now with 430 litres of capacity. Furthermore, the Spanish brand's new model is being equipped with a whole new engine line-up, featuring the 105 hp 1.2 TSI petrol and the complete range of TDI common rail engines, including the new 75 hp 1.2 TDI CR variant.

Martorell, 02-03-2010
TOMORROW AT THE GENEVA INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOW
SEAT welcomes pop star Shakira



On 3 March at 12:00h SEAT will welcome international pop star Shakira to its stand at the Geneva International Motor Show. The occasion will mark SEAT’s announcement as the main sponsor of Shakira’s European Tour.

Pressemitteilung

MORGEN AUF DEM AUTO SALON GENF
Popstar Shakira bei SEAT

Sängerin Shakira wird am 3. März ab 12 Uhr auf dem SEAT Stand sein und gemeinsam mit James Muir, dem Vorstandsvorsitzenden von SEAT, über die Zusammenarbeit im Rahmen der Europatour 2010 berichten.

Communiqué de presse

DEMAIN AU SALON AUTOMOBILE DE GENEVE
SEAT reçoit la visite de la Popstar Shakira

Demain à partir de 12H00, le stand SEAT recevra la visite de la pop star Shakira. En compagnie du Président de la maraue M.James Muir, ils annonceront la partenariat de SEAT en tant que sponsor principal de la tournée européenne de la pop star.

Comunicato stampa

DOMANI, DURANTE IL SALONE DI GINEVRA
SEAT accoglierá la pop star Shakira

Alle ore 12:00h del 3 marzo, presso lo stand del Salone dell’Automobile di Ginevra la SEAT riceverá la pop star internazionale Shakira, per annunciare la collaborazione in qualitá di sponsor ufficiale del tour europeo della cantante colombiana.

Martorell, 01-03-2010
SEAT IBE
The young sports car for the electric age



• Dynamic concept for urban mobility
• Stunning evolution of design DNA
• Electric drive with 75 kW (102 hp) for zero-emissions driving
• Continuation of efficiency strategy
• Development of electric car expertise in Spain under SEAT leadership

SEAT is delivering a powerful statement with a compact sports coupé that carries stunning design and great driving fun into the age of electric mobility. The SEAT IBE concept car uses the zero-emissions drive of the future in a sporty and dynamic concept for urban mobility, while the clean, athletic styling of the IBE concept offers an exciting perspective on the ongoing development of the next generation of SEAT design. Powerful proportions and a precise, clear design language define the continued evolution of the Spanish brand’s design DNA.

Short, low and wide, an extremely low front end and broad shoulders – at first glance, the SEAT IBE displays the proportions of a classic sports car. Yet, it interprets this style genre in an innovative and unique manner – in a compact vehicle optimised for youthful living in urban areas.

“With the IBE, we are demonstrating that, for SEAT, electric mobility will always be combined with excellent design and outstanding driving fun,” says James Muir, President of SEAT, S.A. “The IBE is in the best SEAT tradition of always offering the boldest and most youthful cars in its class. On top of that, our first electric concept car represents the continuation of our strategy for the future; after the huge success of the highly efficient ECOMOTIVE models, we are now working intensively on electric mobility; and that includes plug-in hybrid drive, as well as an all-electric vehicle.”

The design

The IBE concept car delivers an enticing perspective on the ongoing development of SEAT design. The pure forms, the precise lines and the exact surfaces depict a consistent and unique design language that clearly sustains the SEAT identity in all its modernity. “The IBE is like a concentrated gene pool for our next generation of vehicles. It will have a clear impact on all our models.” says SEAT Chief Designer Luc Donckerwolke. “And it also represents a promise for the future of the automobile – even with electric drive, design will still be exciting and driving will still be fun; at least, in a SEAT.”

The SEAT IBE is 3.78 metres long – making it more than 25 centimetres shorter than an Ibiza - but its unusual breadth of 1.80 metres and overall height of only 122 centimetres lend it classic sports car proportions. Another classically sporty feature of the two-door layout is its extremely low bonnet and its long roof line. The short front overhang and muscular rear end with almost no overhang work together with the 19-inch wheels to underscore the car’s powerful and compact look.

The front end is characterised by full-LED headlamps that are as sophisticated in their design as they are distinctive. They bear the characteristic V typical of SEAT’s so-called “arrow design”. The entire front end takes a powerful V form that then carries on through the bonnet. The two air intakes in the lower bumper section are ample for the relatively low cooling requirements of the electric drive. The SEAT logo is located on a trapezoidal functional surface. The alternative drive enables an extremely high degree of consistency in the design – because the compact electric motor and its power electronics require less packaging space, it was possible to stretch the V-shaped bonnet a lot flatter across the front end than would have been possible with an internal combustion engine.

The side profile of the IBE emphasises its powerful stature – its broad shoulders, its sculpted flanks with a distinctive cut-in behind the front wheel, and the large wheels featuring an aerodynamically optimised five-spoke design all serve to underscore the dynamic look. The tires, on the other hand, with their 175 format, are far from extreme – with their low rolling resistance, they contribute to the high efficiency of the electric concept car. The roofline stretches rearwards, with the side glass surfaces kept low.

The rear end picks up the characteristic form of the front and reinterprets it. The rear light clusters featuring LED light guide technology once again display the “arrow” thematic with a hint of a diffuser beneath the rear bumper area reflecting the visual of the front air intakes. The entire vehicle is completely free from ornamentation – good design needs no decor. Every single line has its function in structuring the volumes and surfaces of the car; every muscle emerging from the form emphasises the sporty design. The reduction of forms, their consistent application and the precision in every detail are fixed elements of the SEAT design philosophy – and will be even more evident in future.

The concept

With its manageable dimensions, its agility and dynamics, the SEAT IBE is the perfect fit for city streets. Tightly cut as a 2+2-seater, it is conceived for youthful lifestyles. It has plenty of space for a couple, while also offering capacity for four. The long roofline ensures good interior headroom, while still retaining space for luggage or leisure equipment.

“SEAT has set itself the challenge to develop new concepts for new mobility demands in large cities,” says Frank Bekemeier, who is Executive Vice President for Research and Development at SEAT. “The IBE is a zero-emissions vehicle, which is becoming increasingly important in many areas, and is optimised for future information systems. With its compact dimensions, its great manoeuvrability and high degree of usability, it is the perfect fit for the multi-faceted demands of a young target group.”

The SEAT IBE is an all-electric vehicle that generates zero local emissions. The drive motor is located together with the power electronics beneath the extremely flat bonnet, with the lithium-ion battery positioned in the car’s very short rear. With a maximum output of 75 kW (102 hp) and 200 Nm of torque, the power unit delivers exactly the kind of dynamic driving fun suggested by the exterior styling. The city dash from 0 to 50 km/h takes only 3.4 seconds; within 6.3 seconds, the IBE has reached 80 km/h, and after only 9.4 seconds it arrives at 100 km/h. This impressive performance is a function not only of the powerful off-the-line characteristics of the electric motor, but also the low weight of the SEAT IBE, which tips the scales at only 1,000 kilograms.

The continuous power rating it limited to 50 kW (68 hp), with the top speed pegged at 160 km/h – which is more than enough to cut an impressive figure even on urban motorways. Battery capacity is 18 kWh, which is plenty to cover all the daily mobility requirements of city life. It goes without saying that the SEAT IBE is equipped with the latest safety and communication systems and, in particular, is prepared for car-to-x communication. Within the information network of the future, the SEAT IBE exchanges data concerning status or safety alerts directly with other vehicles or the traffic infrastructure.

The expertise

SEAT is a vehicle manufacturer with a particularly high degree of expertise in environmentally friendly technologies. Recent years have seen fuel consumption systematically reduced across the individual model ranges, with SEAT ECOMOTIVE emerging to enjoying enormous success on the market as a brand for exceptionally high-efficiency vehicles. The pinnacle is the Ibiza ECOMOTIVE, which, despite its powerful 59 kW (80 hp) output consumes only 3.7 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres and emits only 98 grams of CO2 per kilometre. SEAT continues to expand the ECOMOTIVE range, with the Leon, Altea, Altea XL and Alhambra also set to receive exceptionally low-consumption TDI variants.

The next step in the SEAT strategy is the Leon Twin Drive ECOMOTIVE. Its drive is derived from a combination of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. Yet it is far more than a conventional hybrid; it is a plug-in vehicle. Its lithium-ion battery can be charged at a regular electrical socket and has a range fully-charged of around 50 kilometres. For longer trips, the internal combustion engine takes over. The first series production version of the Leon Twin Drive ECOMOTIVE is planned for 2014.

The development target is the all-electric vehicle, with the SEAT IBE concept car serving as a taster. At the same time, the IBE marks the start of a targeted project for the promotion and development of electric mobility in Spain. The Cenit VERDE initiative brings together the capabilities of 16 leading technology companies and 16 leading universities and research establishments.

With its expertise in research, development and production, SEAT has taken over the industrial leadership of this project. Support by the Spanish Ministry for Science and Innovation (CDTI), the company will explore, develop and establish the fundamental requirements for electric mobility. The objective is to explore technologies for the production of electric vehicles in Spain and for the establishment of the associated infrastructure.

“This project is very important for Spain, for its technological development, its future perspectives and its industrial network,” says Frank Bekemeier, SEAT Executive Vice President for Research and Development. “The initiative is one of the most ambitious challenges faced by this country. With the SEAT IBE concept car, we are providing this process with very clear impetus.”