SEAT IBX – the SEAT Audi Q3 – gets a green light

The SEAT IBX – a compact SUV based on the Audi Q3 – has reportedly been signed off for production. Expect the first cars in 2012

SEAT had a go at producing a compact SUV in 2007 – the SEAT Tribu – but the perception shortly after it revealed the concept was that the world was moving away from SUVs. So it didn’t get made.

Only the world didn’t eschew SUVs, or at least not compact SUVs. So SEAT had another bash at a compact SUV at Geneva this year with the Audi Q3-based SEAT IBX, which What Car are now reporting as having been signed off for production in 2012. Which is not exactly a surprise.

It’s not exactly a surprise because SEAT are already geared up to produce the Audi Q3 at their Martorell plant in Spain, so bolting together a SEAT version at the same time should be a no-brainer.

We expect the SEAT IBX to end up looking pretty much like the concept, and to share its running gear with the Audi Q3. That will mean a choice of two flavours of 2.0 litre petrol and a 2.0 litre diesel.

But what we do expect is that teh setup will be tailored more towards the fun than the cosseting end of the range, which will suit the IBX and SEAT’s ethos of sensibly-priced cars with a bit of Iberian flair and a liberal dose of fun.

Whether the hybrid powertrain – in effect a range-extender – SEAT fitted to the IBX Concept will make production remains to be seen. But with SEAT’s Chief designer Luc Donckerwolke saying the IBX represents the footprint of future SEAT design, we can be quite sure it will keep most of its look.

And fill a potentially lucrative hole in SEAT’s range.