Currently reading: Seat 20V20 concept car revealed at Geneva motor show

New large crossover previews Seat's next design language and a new model the firm hopes to have in production for 2020

Seat has previewed its future design direction and the third model in a potentially three-strong range of SUVs with a new concept, called 20V20, at the Geneva motor show.

Seat describes the 20V20 as a four-door sports coupé which combines elements of an SUV and a mid-sized estate car. The name means ‘vision viente viente’, the Spanish for 20:20.

Design boss Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos told Autocar that the concept showed how the design language of the current Leon would evolve through models launched from 2016 to the end of the decade, with large elements of the design set to feature in particular in the next generation Ibiza in 2016.

"This is where we want to be in 2020," he said.

But perhaps as significant is how it could morph into a model in its own right to become possibly the third of three Seat SUVs.

A Leon-based Qashqai rival with a design not influenced by the concept will launch in 2016 and be followed into production soon after by a smaller Juke-sized SUV that will imminently be confirmed for production.

Mesonero-Romanos said the Vison 2020 project is "what we target" after the launch of those cars.

He said: "It is not approved yet by the board, but if all goes well this car is a promise for the future."

Mesonero-Romanos describes the future design as "a big evolution from Leon", which is "even more sculpted with the lines, more brutal, tighter and more precise".

Seat has chosen to reveal this concept, which previews a model potentially so far away from launch, as a show of strength and confidence in the brand, and to show future ambition beyond it's already confirmed model plans.

"We don't just want to show the next car, but the next cars," Mesonero-Romanos said.

The concept car is larger than a Qashqai, almost 4.7m in length, making it the size of an Audi Q5. If it makes production by 2020 as expected, it will be a seven-seater. It is based on the largest version of the Volkswagen Group's versatile MQB platform, and could potentially be built on the same production line as planned VW and Skoda SUVs of the same size, despite its dramatic look.

Mesonero-Romanos said the starting point was ensuring perfect proportions for the car, particular in the side profile. The design mimicked the movement of a runner ready to surge forward by briefly rocking back on their heels, with a more 'cab back' profile and slight negative slope at the rear added to its dynamic stance.

The interior is also significant in showing how Seat will evolve the design from that of the current Leon. The interior style is instantly familiar from the Leon but altogether more futuristic, and controlled using what Mesonero-Romanos describes as a 'Seat Core'.

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The Core is effectively a magnetic circular key that a user locks into the centre console, and the car's entire suite of interior functions - including driving modes, heater controls and infotainment options - are then loaded up, similar to a user profile of custom preferences on a laptop or smartphone.

Mesonero-Romanos revealed the tech was already up and running and had reached the point where it could be developed for production.

Seat boss Jürgen Stackmann said: "Design is already one of the most important reasons for buying a Seat and we intend to build on this strength, along with technology. Many details of the 20V20 will be evident in future production models."

These styling details include an X theme, which features on the front and rear of the car. A V shape on the bonnet means an upturned V in the grille, while at the rear the lines take in the tailgate and the rear bumper.

The show car’s length makes it 43cm longer than the Leon hatchback, while it features a 2.79m-long wheelbase and a 1.65m-wide front track. It sits on 20in alloy wheels and has a 22.8cm ground clearance. Seat has not specified precise interior dimensions, but says the 20V20 has more than 600 litres of luggage space on offer.

The boot also features a pair of luggage trolleys beneath the floor, along with something Seat is calling the Personal Mover. This is an electric scooter-like vehicle, which is designed to take the driver on the last stretch of their journey from the parking space to their destination.

Seat also says that the 20V20 is capable of accommodating a variety of different engines with petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrids all possible.

Seat also revealed at the show it was working with technology giant Samsung on future in car communications technology.

Mark Tisshaw

mark-tisshaw-autocar
Title: Editor

Mark is a journalist with more than a decade of top-level experience in the automotive industry. He first joined Autocar in 2009, having previously worked in local newspapers. He has held several roles at Autocar, including news editor, deputy editor, digital editor and his current position of editor, one he has held since 2017.

From this position he oversees all of Autocar’s content across the print magazine, autocar.co.uk website, social media, video, and podcast channels, as well as our recent launch, Autocar Business. Mark regularly interviews the very top global executives in the automotive industry, telling their stories and holding them to account, meeting them at shows and events around the world.

Mark is a Car of the Year juror, a prestigious annual award that Autocar is one of the main sponsors of. He has made media appearances on the likes of the BBC, and contributed to titles including What Car?Move Electric and Pistonheads, and has written a column for The Sun.

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