Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertibles, Euro
Tango Concept could see production says SEAT
First shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2002, the charmingly sleek SEAT Tango passed many of its styling cues on to other SEAT siblings in production, although the little roadster never made it to the streets itself. Such a pity too, as this little car has so much going for it. Blending elements of the Porsche Carrera GT, Spyker, and BMW Z4 on a much smaller scale, it has been one of our favorite concepts since we first saw pics of it all those years ago. But there is renewed hope. Autocar has found sources inside SEAT that say the Tango could still be produced. With their new focus on styling as a signature feature, SEAT could really use something fun like this to compete against Ford's StreetKa cabrio and similar superminis. The only snag is that the Tango would have to be supported by other models. One possibility is that the roadster could share the next-generation, front-wheel-drive, Ibiza platform. Autocar is predicting a production Tango would most likely sell for around £15,000.
Before the Tango is greenlighted, SEAT needs to release its all-new Ibiza, the new Alhambra MPV, and reassess their Toledo, possibly replacing it with a pseudo-4x4 similar to the new Nissan Qashqai. So the Tango would still be quite a ways away. Chief SEAT designer Luc Donckerwolke, who was responsible for the Lamborghini Murciélago and Gallardo, has said that he wants SEAT to become a "design-driven brand". A production version of the Tango would certainly help towards that goal. And it would add another item to our list of fun cars we can only drive if we rent them while vacationing in Europe.
More pics after the jump
[Source: Autocar]
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Fabulo 5:50PM (10/13/2006)
Poor forward visibility.
Reply
epp_b 5:51PM (10/13/2006)
It looks like one of those photochop "squished-cars" jobs.
Reply
Corey W. 6:32PM (10/13/2006)
I don't like the flowing sharp line that goes around the car.
Reply
myspace layouts 7:18PM (10/13/2006)
styled by a chris bangle wannabe
Reply
Spaceweasel 7:40PM (10/13/2006)
I like the crisp design. Looks dynamic. The cut line of the window flowing into the bodywork is great, but I doubt this sort of detail would make it into production. And no idea how it would fit with a top.
Reply
Steve2 7:55PM (10/13/2006)
Wow, another A3/Golf/Rabbit/TT/Beetle/Eos derivative!
Go VAG, kings of badge engineering!
You could have at least taken off the AVUS rims.
Reply
Tiago do Vale 10:04PM (10/13/2006)
Designed by Walter de Silva: if you know who he is, he doesn't want to be like Chris Bangle, has on it's curriculum amazing cars like the alfas gtv, 156 and 147, or the Audi Nuvolari, and the Q7.
The Tango has amazingly beautifull detailing, and it's about the size of a MX-5/Miata.
Very refreshing design... Love the cockpit-like windshield/lateral windows.
This is, to me, a great job... and you should evaluate it live.
And #6: this has a bespoke tubular frame, it's too small for the A3 platform, and you never saw the AVUS rims, apparently... I wish people don't talk about what they don't know.
Oh, and the TT only has a few elements of the rear suspension and gas tank of the Golf platform (and it's about 70% aluminium, so that you can see how little it could share, besides engines and transmission), the Bettle has the platform of the PREVIOUS golf, the A3 has a different aluminium suspension, and the EOS has elements from the Passat family...
Now I ask you: please, tell me who is building good cars without sharing components? If you answer Porsche, Mercedes, Aston Martin, BMW or Ferrari, I'll tell you it's not true...
Reply
Steve2 1:01AM (10/14/2006)
So these have 7 spokes versus AVUS 6 spokes. From the side (the picture on the top page of this site), it's not a big difference.
As to the concept using a tube frame, well, that's just the concept. Read the article.
Wow, the TT has some different suspension bits and a different gas tank! Wow! The Beetle only has the platform of the previous Golf because the Golf was just changed since the Beetle was last redone. When the Beetle is changed, well, you'll see. As to the Eos (only Canon capitalizes EOS) having elements of the Passat family, the Passat family is on the same platform as the Golf/Rabbit now. So how is using Passat elements a difference?
Ferrari isn't associated with the company they previously platform shared with. I don't think BMW shares platforms at all. The others definitely share platforms. And all of them share components of course.
I'm not really against badge engineering. But VAG overdoes it. It's bad enough in the US, in Europe where you are sometimes confronted with 8 cars on the same platform, 3 or 4 of which are very similar, it just makes everything look the same.
Reply
car specifications 5:25AM (10/14/2006)
I like it's line. It's something different. I didn't saw many cars like this.
Reply
Ultima 10:12PM (10/15/2006)
Looks somewhat like a mini z4.
Reply
tubular_smells 8:23AM (10/16/2006)
Adding to Ultima's comment - Hey, someone finally managed to out-ugly the Z4!
Reply
www.AUTITO.tk 10:29AM (10/19/2006)
My guess is that this new model will just be a new B-segment coupé cabrio, similar in concept to the 207 CC, Colt CZC, Micra C+C, Tigra TwinTop... It should have the 1.4 FSI as its top engine, with 140 hp and 170 hp derivatives.
Reply
Tiago do Vale 7:47PM (10/19/2006)
Steve 2:
I personaly don't see the similarity with the AVUS rims.
The article talks about the Ibiza platform (PQ24 or successor), and this one shares Nothing with either A3, Beetle, Golf/Rabbit Eos or TT.
The TT shares only rear bits with the Golf/Rabbit: you should read me (or investigate) better. As I said: it's about 70% of aluminium: how can it share much with an steel platform? only the reachbench part of the floor is used, for economy of scale, yes, but mainly to provide a perfect weight distribution (the engine is over the front axle).
The Beetle will stay with that platform, and VW doesn't plan a successor: they predict a program of small evolutions, in a way similar to the original Beetle.
The Passat is built on the PQ46 platform, the Golf in the PQ36: the Eos has PQ35 in the front, and PQ46 in the rear: that's why it has a bigger wheelbase.
I think Ferrari is hardly in the same league than SEAT, but Ferrari shared engines, suspension, gearboxes, platforms and even production lines with Maserati in the last years. Even if Maserati now is associated with Alfa Romeo, they are still all owned by FIAT, and they will continue sharing, apparently with a new "Dino by Ferrari" with a front V8 engine and his Maserati coupe sibling. In the past, Ferrari shared engines with Lancia in many ocasions, and even with FIAT. The first Ferraris were worked Alfa Romeos.
BMW shares platforms between the brand: series 1, 3, X3 share one, 5, x5 and 6 other, and the Rolls shared a few parts with the 7. The Mini has a few elements of the 1 series too. The Rover 75 was cleverly engineerd to use a lot of the previous 5 series platform, even if it is FWD.
IT's true VAG overdoes it but, to be honest, if they didn't tell we wouldn't know: they don't share interiors or exterior panels. Just the hidden technology is the same. And, to be honest, they have the most advanced platforms in the automotive world, because together the can make the greatest investment in R&D.
If you drive a Golf and a Leon, like I did, you will see that they have completely different looks but, mostly, a completely different relationship with the road! They are very different!!! They share quality material and build... ;)
In the US, platform sharing generaly means "let's change the front ligths and put a different logo"...
Reply