View Full Version : Seat Bolero
LEO LION R
18-12-2002, 14:17
I couldn't think where else was suitable for this - so here it is.
I came across this car today by accident, and wasn't sure if it will ever be developed into production.
It looks to me like a good replace,ent for the Toledo ? ? ?
They certainly wer eshowing off at the show though. It was proposed to have be a four seater, two door coupé and be powered by a 330 bhp 2.8 liter bi-turbo engine !!! :eek: (presumably 4WD then)
The door styling looks like the new Mazda RX8, with suicide doors.
Does anyone know of any news about it since then ?
edited : should have said it was at the Geneva Motor Show in 1998.
:cheers:
it is the toledo
well, the toledo was based on the bolero concept.
sort of. full runner IIRC and was a hint of the new Seat corporate identity etc. I'll try and find an article....i'll be back
here you go...
The SEAT, surely the youngest and most dynamics European Manufacturer presents its most pioneer vision at the Turin Motor Show. In the design project of the Bolero 330 bt Mediterranean style and Latin individuality are fused with an advanced technology.
The Bolero 330 bt is a sport saloon, which combines the soul of the advanced sport car with the exciting beauty of the unforgettable GT. A style which gives form to the future of a quick developing brand, with a passion for design and a technology at the service of the customer.
The lines of the Bolero 330 bt are a real declaration of intents. The severity of the middle line and of the central section contrast against the soft contours of the interior, which offers all the space of a family car. A fascinating and powerful cocktail, giving an idea of the vehicles SEAT is developing for the future.
A conception with worthy elements such as the driving comfort, equipment at the highest level and a proven safety, all combined with a powerful engine. The V6 2,8 l 330 HP (242 kW) with two turbochargers - bt means "biturbo" - is loved for its performances, at the level of the best sport cars (maximum speed 273 km/h - acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 5 seconds) and for the control ensured by the gear shifting system Sportronic and by the permanent four-wheel drive. A car which offers today the technology of tomorrow.
"The Bolero 330 bt, an agile, powerful and innovative car with a sign of elegance forged by numerous legendary models in the world of automobile, is a car which goes directly to the heart", declared recently the Commercial Vice-president of SEAT, Detlev Schmidt.
"SEAT" - these are still Schmidt's words - "can be identified with people who can feel enthusiasm, who love life and desire special and elegant cars with sport performances and a design reflecting their own life style. Cars built to be loved by their drivers and which satisfy at any time all their wishes".
The Bolero 330 bt represents a perfect balance between a noble and luxurious family saloon and a precious GT, an exclusive model reserved to real experts.
The engineers of the Spanish Manufacturer "captured" the sport essence of a powerful engine and inserted it in this design study, adding a touch of Mediterranean passion to it.
The Bolero 330 bt is the answer to a series of technical and esthetical compromises. It is the creation of a beauty in steel, of humanity in the complex electronic and of passion in the experience of its brilliant ability and the will of putting them into practice - the pride of the Brand and of its Customers.
The esthetical contrast between the soft contours and the pronounced front side culminates at the moment of opening the doors. The SEAT experts have gone an unknown way, eliminating the central pillar, the so-called B pillar.
"The Bolero 330 bt is the study of a family sport car with four places, suited for the daily use" declared Vincente Aguilera, Product Engineering Director of SEAT.
"The insertion of a pioneer type of connection between the body and the door was a perfect solution" explained Aguilera. "It ensures accessibility and is effective in emergency situation".
Among the particular characteristics of this car we find the large tyres, which strengthen the pioneer concept of SEAT. The light alloy wheels of 19 inches are equipped with large tyre 255/40. These are the tyres for a very powerful car suited for a fast drive in every situation. The sport features need a powerful braking system, allowing the safe control of the biturbo engine of 330 HP.
The study of the Seat offers solutions for every question of road holding and stability with effective means such as the integral four-wheel drive, distributing the power of the biturbo V6 between the two axles with safety and efficiency. The gear shifting system Sportronic adapts itself to the personal preferences of the driver and to the road conditions.
"I am convinced," added Aguilera "that the enthusiasm inspired by the SEAT Bolero is connected to its new musical sound; the deep and powerful sound of the V6 engine with two very little turbochargers".
In the opinion of Aguilera "it is a new mechanical miracle, with five valves for cylinder, four-wheel drive and an electronic gear shifting system similar to that of a race car". Vincente Aguilera is the head of SEAT Sport and represents the sport authority in a company, which in these last two years obtained a brilliant success with two World Rally Titles, F2 category.
The conception of SEAT was born in a Mediterranean region with the characteristic artistic passion of Southern Europe. It satisfies every sense. Just observe its fascinating body or go on board and discover its seducing power.
In the opinion of Erwin Himmel, Project Head and Responsible of the Design Centre Europe, depending from the Volkswagen Group, in which the brands SEAT, Volkswagen and Audi have the same participation and with SEAT in Sitges, next to Barcelona, "at the first glance, one notices the contrast between the metallic blank outside, symbolising the pure technology of the future, and the precious leather, which has been effectively used in the interior, in which the atmosphere created by the design team is as expressive as the outside body".
"The body has the generous appearance of the saloon" - added Himmel - "a slightly rounded profile creating an effective contrast with the voluminous and tensed body, similar to that of a race car with great edges offering space for interesting changes between the surfaces".
The interior is spacious and noble. Its comfort and the precious materials are similar to those of a saloon. The final effect is enchanting and strengthened by the special gear-shifting lever of the Sportronic system.
The Bolero 330 bt points out the capacities of a future-oriented manufacturer. Its conceptions are part of SEAT's philosophy of work: the consciousness that the product is the heart and soul of the brand and that it must be able to enthusiasm the customer.
http://media.seat.es/img/ginebra98/bol1.jpg
http://media.seat.es/img/ginebra98/bol3.jpg
http://media.seat.es/img/porto98/img0001.jpg
the dogs dangleys!
I think there has been a mix up, to me its looks like a bloody revised version of the Peugeot 406 Coupe!!!!
LEO LION R
18-12-2002, 16:11
Either way ; Toledo concept of 406 coupe rip off, it would surely have made better sales figures than the Toledo (not that it's ugly, just not quite as good looking) if it had been built IMHO.
Especially a brute like 330bhp AWD version, SEAT why do you tease us?
Has a very strong styling resemblence to the new A4 as well i think, maybe the same designer ?
I think i was wrong about the same doors as the RX-8, have a look at this. Idid a little digging myself, and found this interesting picture (and no i haven't photoshopped it)
:cheers:
I reckon it's nothing like the Froggy 406. I do think that it needs to be fed loads of tarmac, and the only way it can do that is to be put into production and sold to us hungry lot, in RHD of course, in huge quantities.
The thing is beggin' to be built!
Come on Seat; You Know It Makes Sense!
LEO LION R
18-12-2002, 17:01
I reckon it's nothing like the Froggy 406
come on - not even a little bit ?
maybe your right, it certainly looks a lot better though.
Maybe...Slightly...just a little bit...but hey,a damn sight better than the Toledo!!
Dormouse
18-12-2002, 19:09
Bolero eh? will we see torville and dean advertising this one? or maybe just keep to the same of succesful marketing plan of vampires people beating bongo's, trannies and a car breaking out of an icecube?
Cynical..Me? Never! :D
Dor.
Considering it was a concept car about 4 years ago and nothing has been mentioned since I think its a fair guess to say that theres bugger all chance of this going into production, unfortunately.
Ben
I can see why some people think there is a passing resemblance between the Froggy 406 coupe and the absolutely spanking Bolero. But look at those lines. There's not one matching or even a similar line anywhere. I must admit though, I was rather taken when the 406 coup came out. But just look at the lines of the Bolero; it's fantastic!
I wouldn't assume that Seat are not going to build it, but they may decide to replace the Toledo with something similar to the Bolero. Probably not quite the news we're looking for, but in terms of production, Seat need to make sure that they can build the thing cost effectively. Bolero being a concept car wouldn't necessarily have to follow any of those production rules. However, bring the concept up to the drawing board, I bet they could do something remarkably similar, meeting their production budgets.
That front end is unmistakably VAG. Does anyone think it would tread on Audi's toes? I'm not sure, but if VAG think the Bolero is suitably unique in the group, and they can market it with a Seat badge to sell in numbers, then we could be looking at something very fresh to appear in showrooms within about 3/4 years.
Fingers crossed.
Seat - If you build it, they will come!
In my opinion its now or never.... in 4 years time it will possibly look dated!
Also, the idea of a concept car is to show some concepts being considered for future cars.... so why put such a powerful engine in it when they have no real cars with anything even in the same ballpark? Stop teasing us with 300+bhp, just give it to us! (In an Arosa :D ).
Ben
Hello!!!
It's what was launched before the Leon / Toldeo to soften the blow of such a radical design...
Mark
LEO LION R
19-12-2002, 16:45
...okay but just imagine their sales figures now if they had taken the plunge and built it instead !!! ( did someone make a mistake in Seat ? )
:cheers:
Originally posted by BenS1
In my opinion its now or never.... in 4 years time it will possibly look dated!
You could be right. Technology in the computer and home entertainment industry is accelerating beyond belief. And with the advent of fuel-cell technology and so on, why shouldn't a car which would age to 4 years old be completely obsolete, nevermind just look outdated?
So, imagine what they could build in 4 years time! Lets hope they don't get all safe, start building too many safety features into cars, but build engines to produce 250 horsepower, whilst still retaining 50 to the gallon. I'll 'ave some of that! :D