Vibrant Spanish car maker SEAT brought some much-needed Latin heat to the chilly 78^th Geneva International Motor Show with the unveiling of a landmark concept car.

The Martorell motor maker's star of the show is a creation that hints clearly at the brand's future design direction - the SportCoupé Bocanegra.

This prototype marks the start of an ambitious product initiative stretching over the next few years which will include the important launch of the new-generation Ibiza as well as a new upper-medium family saloon, due to make its public debut in 2009.

Using the latest technology at the recently-inaugurated SEAT Design Centre in Martorell, SEAT's designers and engineers have created a supermini-sized concept car featuring ultra-modern, striking styling and showcasing a host of intriguing features inside and out.

The SEAT stand at Geneva Palexpo - located prominently, as ever, in Hall 2 - features the Perspex-nosed SportCoupé Bocanegra as the firm looks to show off the work of its Design Director, Luc Donckerwolke.

The former Lamborghini design chief, already noted at SEAT for his Tribu concept (see below) premiered to considerable acclaim at Frankfurt last year, has here created a compact three-door body boasting a clear coupé-like silhouette that is given obvious added emphasis by its semi-transparent black front end.

SEAT aficionados may even spot that this car offers a nod to the original 'Bocanegra', the legendary 1970s SEAT 1200 Sport.

Key features of the 2008 Bocanegra - literally translated as 'black mouth' - include a clear evolution of SEAT's familiar, distinctive, dynamic line design trait; vast panoramic sunroof; eye-catching door-mirror-mounted side indicator repeaters; and overtly sporty rear 'shoulders'.

Top notch quality touches appear throughout, from the striking LED light clusters to the elegant door mirror mounts.

Inside, minute attention to detail is the key and the centre console, where the climate control system can be found, is a very clear example of this.  Its design has been specially created for this model, and the vents feature special mesh grilles that regulate and direct the air flow.

Under the bonnet lies a 1.4-litre TSI twin-charger (turbocharged and supercharged) petrol engine linked to a state-of-the-art seven-speed DSG automatic/sequential manual gearbox endowing the SportCoupé with both potent performance and enviable refinement.

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SEAT has delivered the surprise of this year's Frankfurt Motor Show, with the unveiling of the dramatic Tribu concept.  This dynamic-looking compact SUV showcases the latest interpretation of 'Auto Emoción', and is the first model wholly designed by SEAT Design Director Luc Donckerwolke and his team since his arrival at the Spanish brand from Lamborghini.

The Tribu signals an evolution of SEAT's current design themes.  Elements of current SEAT aesthetics, such as a dynamic line on each flank and a bold grille, sustain the brand's clear identity.  However, aside from these trademarks, everything else is different, with a more angular silhouette that communicates power, confidence and dynamism. 

As with the Salsa in 2000, this concept car heralds the advent of a new wave of SEAT models, and is therefore highly significant. 

The SEAT Tribu is clearly an SUV, with its generous ground clearance and four-wheel drive system, but its compact, three-door shape and sports-car-like detailing - such as impactful 20-inch alloy wheels, prominent rear spoiler and the aforementioned dynamic lines - are proof of its feisty, sporty character. 

The SEAT dynamic line is even more pronounced than on current models, such as the Leon and Altea.  It begins at the front, like an eyebrow over the headlamp, and continues over the front wheel arch, sloping over the side towards the rear wheel. 

Elsewhere, the Tribu showcases new design themes for SEAT.  The trapezoidal shape of the headlamps, grille and air vents, and the new grille-mesh design with elongated hexagons, lend a powerful, assertive image to the newcomer.

Seen from the front, the striking windscreen extends past the compact bonnet over the top of the car, becoming a panoramic roof that allows light to flood the interior, while enhancing the view of the outside. 

At the rear, the light clusters are deceptively absent.  In fact, they are hidden from view behind the imposing glass hatch and are visible only when the bulbs illuminate. 

The striking 20-inch alloy wheels, fitted with 255/50 tyres, are sure to garner plenty of attention.  Laced with trapezoid shapes, these wheels echo the strong design themes found elsewhere both inside and outside the car. 

Moving to the interior, the Tribu is a four-seater, whose front bucket seats feature integrated seatbelts.  Additionally, both have independent heating circuits with vents at the back for rear seat heating. 

The rear seats can be folded forward to increase load capacity, and are separated by a console that doubles as an armrest or cupholder, complete with a handy integrated storage compartment. 

Within the dashboard, the Tribu has four screens, with a rev counter and a speedometer on two further dials to provide all the information needed for a safe, comfortable drive.  Three of the screens display different information according to the driving mode selected - Urban, Sport or Freerun.  These three driving modes can be chosen at the touch of a button, whereby SEAT's new concept car modifies its parameters (engine management, suspension, gearbox, etc.) to adapt to different surroundings - city, motorway and off-road.

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SEAT's intention to continue its growth and offer 'auto emoción' in yet more market sectors has been demonstrated once again, with the announcement that it will produce two new models in the B-segment.

The B-segment, still one of Western Europe's largest market sectors with annual sales in 2006 of 1,147,200 (source: AID), includes competitors such as the Ford Mondeo, Peugeot 407 and Toyota Avensis. SEAT S.A. President Erich Schmitt has confirmed that the company will enter into this market in 2009 with two variants: a saloon and an estate.

As with all SEAT models (with the exception of the seven-seat Alhambra, which is manufactured in Portugal), the new models will be built at the Spanish firm's ultra-modern Martorell plant, located close to Barcelona. The company also has a substantial research and development facility at this location - the Martorell Technical Centre - employing around 1,250 highly qualified staff. No other car manufacturer based in Spain has the capacity to design, develop and produce its own vehicles in the country.

Commenting to Spanish media representatives in Martorell, at the announcement of the new models, Erich Schmitt said: 'The assignment of these two new models to the plant in Martorell is an historic step for SEAT. By these means, we enlarge our current product range, which not only gives our clients the possibility to grow with the brand, but also enables us to increase the profitability of our dealer network thanks to the availability of these new models.'