The Seat Bocanegra is one of the first creations by the recently-inaugurated SEAT Design Centre in Martorell.

The name ‘Bocanegra’ (literally translated as ‘black mouth’) pays homage to the 1970s SEAT 1200 Sport.

The design is an evolution of Seat's 'dynamic line', and is characterized by the black semi-transparent nose made out of Perspex.

Additional design elements include muscular rear shoulders, door-mounted side mirrors, large panoramic sunroof and LED light clusters.

The sporty look of the four-meter long body is enhanced by the low roofline and the 19” alloy wheels with low-profile 235/35 tires.

The concept is powered by a 1.4 twin-turbo TSI engine coupled with a seven-speed DSG gearbox with steering wheel paddles.

The interior features bucket seats upholstered in black leather, reminiscent of that used in classic sports cars.

For the Spanish brand it marks the start of a product initiative extending over the next few years, which will include the important launch of the new-generation Ibiza as well as a new ‘B-segment’ saloon car, due to make its public debut in 2009.

From the official Press Release:

Exterior Design

The top half is capped by a stunning, dark Perspex finish from which only the headlight units, with their state-of-the-art LED technology, peer out.

The appealing effect produced with the front headlights is complemented by the outline encircling the brand’s insignia, which itself sports a new look.

 Instead of the chromed brand symbol the classic ‘S’ appears in black, silhouetted by a chromed line.

 Its depth, which makes it appear more three-dimensional, and its black finish are elements that stand out as a clear demonstration of the significant advance in quality already achieved by SEAT.

Another eye-catching feature in the same area is the front bumper styling: its overall appearance is akin to that of a mask in that it only accentuates the expressiveness and sporty nature.

Moving upwards, yet another highlight of the ‘Bocanegra’s’ exciting exterior design is a vast panoramic sunroof that allows light to flood into the passenger compartment. Sporting a finish that matches the dark Perspex front end, it naturally harmonises the exterior colours for a consistent, dramatic, look.

The high-level side indicator repeaters incorporated into the door mirrors form an additional striking feature.  The mirrors, in turn, inject an added touch of dynamism by being attached below the window line of the new SEAT SportCoupé.  This elegant design trait, with a slender arm connecting the mirror housing to the door, creates a truly dashing look.

The taut surfaces of the vehicle’s flanks comprise three distinctive characteristics which give the new prototype’s sporty character added impact and represent a key evolution of the brand’s trademark ‘dynamic line’. 

"Originating from the front end and following the hood line down to the centre of the door, the first line is virtually mirrored by another that descends from the rear end’s powerful ‘shoulders’ to the centre of the door.

"Both are underscored by a third line which bridges the divide between the two wheel arches. The purpose, again, is to clearly evoke the new sense of automotive style which SEAT now conveys."

The rear end has robust look thanks to the very boldly contoured shoulders that integrate the tail light units.

Adorning the centre of the hatch is, once again, the brand insignia which, like its counterpart at the front, sports an all-new black look with a chrome outline and doubles as the handle for opening the luggage compartment.  Displayed across the centre of the hatch, below the insignia, is the prototype’s historic name: ‘Bocanegra’.

Lower down, these elements give way to a sporty exhaust integrated into the centre of the rear bumper, flanked by characterful, mesh-style wings.

Interior design

"One of the principal objectives for the interior styling was to produce a space offering functional, practical elements together with flawless quality"

The interior of the ‘Bocanegra’ is distinguished by an impressive variety of tones and textures.  Its front end is dominated by the dashboard with its sporty, light styling.

The steering wheel has a sporty triple-spoke design and two flattened sections on either side that make it easier to grip. It also incorporates paddles for operating the seven-speed DSG gearbox and controls for operating external devices connected to the vehicle via Bluetooth.

The sporty instrument cluster integrates a hi-tech central screen - positioned between the two new-look dials - that functions as a telephone display.

The climate control system located in the center console features a special mesh grille that regulate and direct the air flow.

Each dial is made up of three concentric rings with needles pointing to the 6 o'clock position. Both incorporate the indicator signal in the centre, with the right-hand dial including various other telltale lamps for the vehicle's functions.

The rings are made of transparent material, the first featuring a large scale and the second showing much more precise readings for the rev counter and the speedometer, which both feature white backlighting.

Concluding the tour of the driver's cockpit in the “Bocanegra” are sports pedals with metal plates.

The design of elements such as the armrest, the zone around the central tunnel and the seats has a very light feel to it thanks to the inclusion of leather and semi-transparent Perspex trim.

The door trim panel replicates the concept of the dashboard, deftly combining metallic mesh sections with the colour scheme that runs throughout the vehicle.

The “Bocanegra” is fitted with bucket seats, which offer optimum support for the occupants out on the road. A brown leather strip runs the length of the seat's outer perimeter, giving it a unique surface finish. The headrest is integrated into the top section of the seat as a floating element with a zone for communicating between the front and rear.

The interior seat sections are upholstered in quilted black leather, reminiscent of that used in classic sports cars, while the side bolster cushions are trimmed in brown leather to coordinate with the interior colours.

(Source: Seat)