# A concept car that offers a preview of upcoming models
# Three drive modes: Urban, Sport and Freerun
# A tough, compact and truly sporty image
Frankfurt is the venue for the launch of a concept car which is very important to SEAT, as it represents a turning point in the future of the Spanish brand. Just as the Salsa prototype was the prelude to the SEAT León, the new Tribu demonstrates the design basis for the next models to be launched by SEAT.
Indeed, the new Tribu is the first model to be completely designed by the Spanish brand’s Chief Designer, Luc Donckerwolke and his team, since he joined SEAT after holding the same position at Lamborghini. Straighter and well-defined shapes, combined with sharper lines, increase the surface tension of the components which make up the model’s design, and mark a change from the current design of the SEAT models. The Tribu has a robust yet sporty look allied with great versatility. Comfortable interiors, filled with passenger comfort and technological features. And of course a high-performance diesel engine with excellent environmental compatibility.
That’s what future SEAT models will be like, with this concept car giving us a sneak preview.
Creative force
The Tribu once again demonstrates SEAT’s enormous potential to create and develop new models. Its design reflects the SEAT brand’s genes and its “auto emoción” slogan; this design is innovative, with a strikingly sporty character and great vitality. And even more importantly, this concept car is not just looking to be the star of the motor show: its also previews the design trends for future SEAT models.
This was the case in the past for the SEAT Salsa, a vehicle which received great acclaim when it was unveiled in 2000, and was the prototype for the design and compact architecture of the SEAT León and the Altea family of today.
The Tribu is the latest in a line of SEAT concept cars, and is suitable for both on-road and off-road driving.
Three spirits in just one car
The Tribu manages to reconcile the contrasting worlds of town and country. Indeed, it could be said to be a car which is designed just as much for the town as it is for the country.
Three very different modes are combined in the one body, with the driver able to select the mode of his or her choice at any time. Depending on whether Urban, Sport or Freerun mode is selected, the new SEAT concept car changes its technical parameters (engine management, suspension, transmission and so on) in order to adapt to the circumstances in which it is used.
As the name indicates, Urban drive mode is for driving in urban areas, and prioritises comfort and fuel economy, as well as emissions reduction. Sport mode can be selected for showing off the sheer power of the Tribu’s engine, with the main technical parameters for this mode being performance and driving dynamics. Finally, when heading off-road, Freerun mode adjusts the engine, transmission and suspension, enabling the Tribu’s 4x4 nature to shine through.
And the Tribu does not just adjust its parameters in line with the selected drive mode. It also adapts to information from the vehicle’s instruments, and even in some cases to the interior configuration.
SEAT genes
The most striking feature when you get close to the new Tribu is the complete evolution that the concept car undergoes compared with the SEAT range to date. The innovative hatchback and the impressive 20” wheels make us realise that we are looking at a SEAT of the next generation. Even the untrained eye will easily be able to spot characteristic elements of the brand genes in the prototype’s sideline and the expressive front end.
The dynamic line, which is so characteristic of SEAT models, has evolved and reconfirms its presence on the vehicle, starting from the front section, above the headlights. If we consider the headlights to be the Tribu’s eyes, the start of the sideline is its eyebrows. This strong front line continues above the front wheel arch along the side of the vehicle to the rear.
The new generation of SEAT models will undoubtedly be easy to recognise from any angle.
But this is where the similarities with any other SEAT models end.
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