What's the news?
SEAT will use the Barcelona motor show to display two new cars, one for sale and one (for now) not.
The for-sale one is the new Ateca FR, which we've seen glimpses of already, and which transposes SEAT's sporty-but-affordable trim onto its hugely successful SUV.
It comes with aluminium roof rails and window frames, unique glossy black grille, FR bumpers and rear fog lights, 18-inch alloy wheels (19-inch option available) matching colours to the bodywork for the wheel rims and side skirts (with aluminium moulding that runs along both doors), the rear window framed by black lateral spoilers and matching bodywork colour for the spoiler on the boot and the FR logo at the front and rear. The logo is repeated inside on the aluminium kick plates and multi-function sports steering wheel in leather with glossy black insertions. The sports seats are upholstered in Alcantara, the door panels have an exclusive FR covering, the pedals are aluminium and the red stitching on the steering wheel, the gearbox and seats emphasises the sporty side of the car which also comes with firmer suspension.
The FR will be joined on the stand by the new Ibiza hatch, the 300hp version of the Leon Cupra, and an intriguing throwback. It's a concept called the Seat 600 BMS, and it's basically a perfectly restored and updated original SEAT 600. Sired from the Fiat 600, 60 years ago it's the model that kick-started the SEAT story, and the Spanish company is keen to mark the anniversary. Although kept largely original, the 600 BMS has been upgraded with a leather interior, with contrast orange stitching, 'Metallic Twist' body paint, and new badging.
For now, this is a one-off show car, but given the recent trend for 'reborn' classic cars being expensively restored and recreated by their original makers (Land Rover and Jaguar especially) there's just the chance that SEAT is looking to build a new limited run of its first-ever car.