primekart
18-10-2001, 09:21
SEAT Tango :devil:
By Autoexpress
What do you get if you cross a Spanish car firm, a German boss and a British designer? Answer: the SEAT Tango. The radical two-seater is the brainchild of SEAT's new chief of exterior design, Steve Lewis, and Bernd Pischetsrieder, who shaped BMW into the automotive colossus it is today.
Designed to sit below the likes of Mazda's MX-5 and the MGF in the growing soft-top market, the Tango was unveiled at last month's Frankfurt Motor Show. But while bosses stress that it is still very much a concept, the car's design and construction suggest that it is no ordinary show model. The Tango feels like a finished production car.
Based on a cut-down version of the Ibiza platform, it is more compact than a Toyota MR2 and similar in size to the forthcoming Ford StreetKa and MCC Smart Roadster. And it isn't only the car's lines that grab your attention. The cabin, too, has some fabulous touches. The detachable seats allow owners to have them 'moulded' to their backside, and while the milled alloy switchgear surrounds are unlikely to be viable in a £10,000 roadster, the basic design sits somewhere between the stripped-out Lotus Elise and an Audi TT.
But the SEAT will have to be more practical if it is to get the production go-ahead. While the flip-top buttresses and slide-out luggage tray are lovely ideas, even bosses admit that a road car will need a more conventional solution.
On the road, though, the Tango feels remarkably production-ready. Given that it was designed as a show car, it drives exceptionally well. Powered by a modified version of SEAT's 180bhp 1.8-litre turbocharged unit, the Tango pulls away from rest eagerly and proves particularly lively in the mid-range. Official figures suggest a 145mph top speed and a 0-60mph time of around seven seconds - both of which sound perfectly feasible. The delightful action of the six-speed manual box allows you to shift between gears with the merest flick of the wrist.
The steering is sharp, too, and while we were confined to SEAT's smooth test track, the suspension balanced a sporty ride and handling very well. But while the early signs are encouraging, the Tango's future lies ultimately with the car-buying public. Positive feedback from key markets such as the UK will see the SEAT on its way to production.
Concept cars come and go, but this one shouldn't be allowed to sink without trace. The Tango has huge potential and could work wonders for SEAT's image. It could be easily adapted to suit the new Ibiza's running gear, so the future looks rosy. And given that Ford and Smart both have similar models in the pipeline, the timing couldn't be better.
At a glance
* Two-seater could go on sale in early 2004, priced from £10,000
* Concept uses Ibiza platform and 180bhp 1.8-litre turbo unit
* Top speed of 145mph, sprints from 0-60mph in 7.0 seconds
By Autoexpress
What do you get if you cross a Spanish car firm, a German boss and a British designer? Answer: the SEAT Tango. The radical two-seater is the brainchild of SEAT's new chief of exterior design, Steve Lewis, and Bernd Pischetsrieder, who shaped BMW into the automotive colossus it is today.
Designed to sit below the likes of Mazda's MX-5 and the MGF in the growing soft-top market, the Tango was unveiled at last month's Frankfurt Motor Show. But while bosses stress that it is still very much a concept, the car's design and construction suggest that it is no ordinary show model. The Tango feels like a finished production car.
Based on a cut-down version of the Ibiza platform, it is more compact than a Toyota MR2 and similar in size to the forthcoming Ford StreetKa and MCC Smart Roadster. And it isn't only the car's lines that grab your attention. The cabin, too, has some fabulous touches. The detachable seats allow owners to have them 'moulded' to their backside, and while the milled alloy switchgear surrounds are unlikely to be viable in a £10,000 roadster, the basic design sits somewhere between the stripped-out Lotus Elise and an Audi TT.
But the SEAT will have to be more practical if it is to get the production go-ahead. While the flip-top buttresses and slide-out luggage tray are lovely ideas, even bosses admit that a road car will need a more conventional solution.
On the road, though, the Tango feels remarkably production-ready. Given that it was designed as a show car, it drives exceptionally well. Powered by a modified version of SEAT's 180bhp 1.8-litre turbocharged unit, the Tango pulls away from rest eagerly and proves particularly lively in the mid-range. Official figures suggest a 145mph top speed and a 0-60mph time of around seven seconds - both of which sound perfectly feasible. The delightful action of the six-speed manual box allows you to shift between gears with the merest flick of the wrist.
The steering is sharp, too, and while we were confined to SEAT's smooth test track, the suspension balanced a sporty ride and handling very well. But while the early signs are encouraging, the Tango's future lies ultimately with the car-buying public. Positive feedback from key markets such as the UK will see the SEAT on its way to production.
Concept cars come and go, but this one shouldn't be allowed to sink without trace. The Tango has huge potential and could work wonders for SEAT's image. It could be easily adapted to suit the new Ibiza's running gear, so the future looks rosy. And given that Ford and Smart both have similar models in the pipeline, the timing couldn't be better.
At a glance
* Two-seater could go on sale in early 2004, priced from £10,000
* Concept uses Ibiza platform and 180bhp 1.8-litre turbo unit
* Top speed of 145mph, sprints from 0-60mph in 7.0 seconds