SEAT at the British International Motor Show 2008

SEAT – the sporty, design-driven Spanish brand – is adding a big dose of Mediterranean flair to this year’s British International Motor Show with a stunning and diverse line-up of cars. Undoubted star of the stand and, arguably, the Show is the tantalising new SEAT Ibiza SportCoupé which makes its world debut at ExCeL, though a host of other model highlights ensure that the little beauty is far from the only attraction.

The SportCoupé’s family-friendly sibling in the Ibiza line-up, the 5dr, is also a UK show debutant just days after making its showroom debut at SEAT dealerships around the country. With a healthy order bank and positive Press reception already established, the slick, sporty Ibiza is on course to cement its success with the public at ExCeL.

Meanwhile SEAT’s hugely relevant Ecomotive range of green machines, launched at the turn of the year with the fuel-sipping Ibiza Ecomotive, sees two important additions with the UK show debuts of the Leon Ecomotive and Alhambra Ecomotive. Using similarly sensible fuel-saving tweaks as the Ibiza (revised engine management, aerodynamic alterations, low rolling resistance tyres and ultra-green DPF diesel particulate filter technology, among other things) the Leon Ecomotive and Alhambra Ecomotive bring top notch economy and reduced CO2 emissions to two massive segments of the UK car market.

SEAT’s perennially popular Leon range gets a boost with the debut of one of a brace of new models. The Leon Emoción offers enhanced equipment and value, plus even more style, at an affordable price. Meanwhile the Spaniards’ most extreme Leon – the fire-breathing 240 PS Cupra – stands out at the Show courtesy of a new Speed Blue paint job, one of a selection of fashionable new shades set to be made available to Cupra buyers later this year.

In London, the British Touring Car Championship Leon naturally reinforces the sporting, race-bred prowess of the SEAT brand. Boasting ground-breaking TDI turbodiesel technology, the oil-burning BTCC racer has already proved its mettle with historic wins in the 2008 championship. Star drivers Jason Plato and Darren Turner are unlocking the full potential of the 280 PS motor and are looking forward to more track success throughout the second half of the BTCC season.

That race-bred diesel transfers to the road in the form of the Leon FR 2.0 TDI, on show at ExCeL. With a more manageable 170 PS from the same 2.0 TDI that sits in the BTCC car, the 135 mph FR offers a rare mix of excitement and economy at an accessible price.

Finally, other SEAT representatives at the show include the full suite of flexible, family-friendly Altea models namely the Altea, Altea XL and Altea Freetrack 4.