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John Mahoney28 Feb 2015
NEWS

GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: SEAT to reveal QASHQAI SUV rival

SEAT has used its Twitter feed to tease a picture of a brand-new SUV that will rival Nissan's QASHQAI

Spanish car-maker SEAT has confirmed on Twitter that it will launch a new SUV concept at next week’s Geneva motor show.

Widely tipped to be an SUV based on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB platfor,m the new small SEAT crossover will prove a natural rival for the Nissan QASHQAI.

From its front styling it’s clear the new SUV concept picks up from where the SEAT’s Paris 2011 motor show IBX concept left off but, according to Autocar -- which has seen a full-size styling model -- it ditches the earlier concept’s dramatic side blisters.

As yet unnamed, the new concept is widely expected to be near-production ready and on sale as soon as 2016 (in Europe).

SEAT’s first SUV will then be followed by a larger seven-seat SUV.

Described as a “big step up for SEAT” by insiders, SEAT boss Jurgen Stackman told Autocar said the new SUV “takes SEAT into new territory in one of the largest and fastest-growing segments in the world.”

Stackmann, confirming the car would be built said: “The SUV is an important pillar in the future corporate strategy and is a major step forward on the road to reaching sustainable profitability for the company.”

According to sources, in the future SEAT hopes to make 200,000 Ibizas, 200,000 Leons, 100,000 SUVs and 100,000 Alhambra people movers and Mii city cars finally making the brand profitable and guaranteeing its future within the Volkswagen Group.

This volume increase could mean, plus the arrival of the SUV, could see eventually SEAT start selling cars in Australia.

Stackmann, speaking to motoring.com.au last October, said: “I think our new Leon range clearly fits the Australian market. With the compact SUV coming in 2016, that will be an appropriate time to re-enter the market.”

"First we need the right line-up to start with. With the Leon family range, plus the SUV coming, it would be a very good time to look at Australia."

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