Miguel Sánchez
Despite having started its days as a company based on manufacturing under license, the truth is that SEAT began to show signs of its design autonomy from very early on. Thus things, the 1400C It inaugurated a clear love for its own design, mixing elements in order to adapt to the local market. Furthermore, during the following decade, their own variants were born with which both the 600 and the 850 acquired four doors for greater habitability.
A process completed thanks to the appearance of the 1200/1430 Sport, built by Inducar under lines without any correspondence in the Fiat range. A show of independence from her Italian partner, from whom he would separate already in the eighties, suffering a situation from which she could only escape thanks to the arrival of Ibiza.
In accounting terms, possibly the most essential model for the Spanish house because, after all, it freed it from a more than possible closure while establishing the beginning of its relationship with the Volkswagen Group as a technology supplier. A supplier that, by the way, was framing the brand within its global strategy in order to make it fit within its own market niche.
In this way, providing SEAT with its own visual identity was key during the nineties. What's more, just at that time Walter de'Silva - who had just created the successful 147 and 156 for Alfa Romeo - was hired as head of design, placing on his shoulders the responsibility of differentiating the brand under a new appearance where utilitarian and sporty go hand in hand. In short, just the starting point for a saga of prototypes with which the history of SEAT could very well have changed.
SEAT BOLERO (1998), LOOKING TO JUMP TO A HIGHER LEVEL
After several years on the market, the Toledo was already beginning to show signs of wear. At this point, at SEAT they thought for a moment not only about replacing it thanks to a new version of it but, for that matter, create a superior model ready to do battle in the segment of performance sedans with a casual appearance and performance mechanics as its main assets.
Something really very interesting because, after all, if it had been taken to series it could have taken SEAT out of the popular sphere where it had always operated. Regarding the bodywork, the sportiness was not only shown with truly unclassical volumes but, especially, through solutions as daring and ingenious as the absence of a central pillar to thus give full access to the cabin.
Likewise, in relation to the engine, it was borrowed from Audi, equipping a V6 with 330 HP capable of turning the Bolero - a name with clear phonetic similarities to that of the Toledo - into a more than effective model in relation to long trips across the country. highway.
However, the project was finally canceled - although it did The production of a pre-series was even considered. with the intention of reaching dealers - since, as we see, the Bolero's approaches could have come into conflict with various models included in the Audi range.
SEAT SALSA EMOCIÓN (2000), SPORTSMANSHIP AS A LIFESTYLE
After the cold water represented by the closing of the Bolero, the SEAT management experienced a new exciting era thanks to the signing of Walter de'Silva. Responsible for giving Alfa Romeo a new and successful image, he landed in Barcelona with the intention of doing the same in the Spanish house. Put in that situation, During the year 2000 he presented the bases of what was to be known as “dynamic line” thanks to the Salsa prototypes.
Ultimately, the basis for the style derived from the following Toledo, León and Altea; This is especially noticeable when we examine the small front grille from which the line that will command the side begins. Without a doubt, the design element from which de'Silva generated the vision of the new SEAT range. Now, returning to the Salsa prototypes, these were divided into two clearly differentiated bets.
And, while one with a two-door body and a clear desire for the road was presented, the bet was complemented with the so-called Salsa Emoción. Basically the same design but this time raised thanks to larger wheels, generous suspension travel and clearly enlarged wheel arches.
Of course, here we were not looking at an all-terrain vehicle since there was no 4×4 traction, sheet metal tires or gearbox; Far from it, the concept presented by the Salsa Emoción is that of a two-door with capabilities both on and off the asphalt. A vehicle where sportiness is not in the performance but in the lifestyle exercised by its owners. In short, Sunday lovers at maximum power although, at the end of the day, they could also have been potential buyers.
SEAT TANGO (2001), I WISH IT HAD COME TO A SERIES
If Tango had become a series, it might not have been a bestseller. However, for a brand like SEAT two decades ago to have presented a halo model thanks to which it exuded a powerful sports image would have been truly excellent. And, following the visual criteria established by its “dynamic line”, Walter de'Silva created here an attractive two-seater capable of promising sensations glued to the asphalt.
Furthermore, all this was done with a volume contained on the Ibiza platform. Base on which a mechanics with up to 180 HP was installed. In short, we were looking at a light two-seater sports car that It could well have won the favor of those who are rightly attracted to models like the Mazda MX-5. The same one who, by the way, has been performing a great bestseller in the United Kingdom for years.
And, in short, just letting our minds fly in relation to what the marketing of the SEAT Tango could have meant makes us smile half a smile. However, the truth is that within the framework of the Volkswagen Group there were already bets like the Audi TT and, furthermore, it was believed unnecessary to provide the Spanish house with an aspirational model as interesting as this one. A shame.
SEAT AROSA RACER (2001), CANCELED BY THE LUPO
Far from being an exercise in style, the Arosa Racer was presented as a performance bet within the A segment. By the way, a wonderful trend since Abarth dared decades ago to make its first modifications to the Fiat 500 and 600.
Likewise, in the case of this prototype the touches and tweaks were not merely aesthetic - something very common these days with the application of the M package on many BMWs that are not very sporty - but rather decisively influenced the mechanics and weight. To begin with, the rear seats were dispensed with in order to lighten the load while reinforcements were added to the chassis and authentic competition belts.
All this in order to adapt to the thrust provided by an atmospheric engine with four cylinders and 125 HP at 6.500 rpm. In short, a small and vibrant niche sports car that is really interesting to take into series. However, just a few months earlier the Volkswagen Lupo GTI had been released on the market. That is to say, there was no longer any space - or meaning - for the arrival of the Arosa Racer to the dealerships.
SEAT TRIBU (2007), CROSSING OF CONCEPTS
After having done an excellent job, Walter de'Silva left SEAT to be replaced by Luc donckerwolke. Coming from Lamborghini, he designed the Tribu as his first creation. A prototype where the idea embodied in Salsa Emoción was rescued although taken here to new heights more similar to the appearance of an off-roader. All-terrain which, let us remember again, is not such since its Off-Road capabilities only reside in its height from the ground.
In any case, at the end of the day and debates aside, these types of vehicles with more appearance than effectiveness sell quite well; very dark clue about the meaning of even darker times. A time in which the Tribu - with a two-liter engine and 140 HP - could have emerged as a perfect option for those who lead a lifestyle dressed by Decathlon from head to toe.
