SEAT Tango
Encyclopedia
The SEAT Tango roadster is a concept car
presented at the 2001 Frankfurt Motor Show, designed by a team directed by Walter de Silva with the contribution of SEAT's chief of exterior design, Steve Lewis.
Featuring a two-door two-seater roadster
body style riding on a cut-down SEAT Ibiza
platform, it is powered by a 180 PS version of Volkswagen Group
's 1.8L 20VT engine which drives the front wheels. While it was an internal concept, it was originally intended to be called the Tanga because of its rear end lines, however that name was turned down by Volkswagen Group's management as it was found rather provocative.
Extensive safety measures were also integrated into the project: in addition to the progressive deformation structure and central passenger cell which help to cushion impact, it was also equipped with twin front airbags, side airbags, Antilock Braking System, Electronic Stability Control
and Traction Control
systems.
, and an important model in order to boost the brand's auto emoción sporting image and the overwhelming response from the public, the Tango never got the green light for production: SEAT's integration in the following years in the 'Audi brand group' meant that decisions had to be made in consensus with guidance from Audi's management. However Audi was opposed to making the Tango a real road car at all costs according to Audi board chairman Martin Winterkorn
who announced "I am not signing a production contract with blood until I see the right numbers." and instead favoured new models in segments that were thought to make more sense in sales terms, like the SEAT Altea
MPV which was meant to succeed Audi's own Audi A2
model.
Concept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....
presented at the 2001 Frankfurt Motor Show, designed by a team directed by Walter de Silva with the contribution of SEAT's chief of exterior design, Steve Lewis.
Featuring a two-door two-seater roadster
Roadster
A roadster is a two-seat open car with emphasis on sporty handling and without a fixed roof or side weather protection. Strictly speaking a roadster with wind-up windows is a convertible but as true roadsters are no longer made the distinction is now irrelevant...
body style riding on a cut-down SEAT Ibiza
SEAT Ibiza
The SEAT Ibiza is a car in the European supermini class, constructed by the Spanish car maker SEAT S.A., is SEAT's best-selling car and perhaps the most popular model in the Spanish firm's range....
platform, it is powered by a 180 PS version of Volkswagen Group
Volkswagen Group
Volkswagen Group is a German multinational automobile manufacturing group. , Volkswagen was ranked as the world’s third largest motor vehicle manufacturer and Europe's largest....
's 1.8L 20VT engine which drives the front wheels. While it was an internal concept, it was originally intended to be called the Tanga because of its rear end lines, however that name was turned down by Volkswagen Group's management as it was found rather provocative.
Extensive safety measures were also integrated into the project: in addition to the progressive deformation structure and central passenger cell which help to cushion impact, it was also equipped with twin front airbags, side airbags, Antilock Braking System, Electronic Stability Control
Electronic Stability Control
Electronic stability control is a computerized technology that may potentially improve the safety of a vehicle's stability by detecting and minimizing skids. When ESC detects loss of steering control, it automatically applies the brakes to help "steer" the vehicle where the driver intends to go...
and Traction Control
Traction control
A traction control system , also known as anti-slip regulation , is typically a secondary function of the anti-lock braking system on production motor vehicles, designed to prevent loss of traction of driven road wheels...
systems.
Potential production
The SEAT Tango was for a long time the subject of speculation on whether would become a production model. Although supported by SEAT's (and later Volkswagen Group's) chairman Bernd PischetsriederBernd Pischetsrieder
Dr. Bernd Peter Pischetsrieder is a German automobile engineer and manager.He was born in Munich, Bavaria, and studied Mechanical Engineering at the Technical University of Munich from 1968 to 1972. He earned the degree of "Diplom-Ingenieur", and began his career at BMW in 1973 as a Production...
, and an important model in order to boost the brand's auto emoción sporting image and the overwhelming response from the public, the Tango never got the green light for production: SEAT's integration in the following years in the 'Audi brand group' meant that decisions had to be made in consensus with guidance from Audi's management. However Audi was opposed to making the Tango a real road car at all costs according to Audi board chairman Martin Winterkorn
Martin Winterkorn
Martin Winterkorn is the Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG, the parent company of the Volkswagen Group, and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Audi and Porsche Automobil Holding SE....
who announced "I am not signing a production contract with blood until I see the right numbers." and instead favoured new models in segments that were thought to make more sense in sales terms, like the SEAT Altea
SEAT Altea
The SEAT Altea is a compact MPV produced by Spanish automaker SEAT, S.A. and named after Altea, Spain. The vehicle was designed by the Italian Walter de'Silva and launched in 2004 as the first example of SEAT's new corporate look...
MPV which was meant to succeed Audi's own Audi A2
Audi A2
The Audi A2 is a Compact MPV styled five-door four- or five-seat hatchback designed supermini, produced by the German automaker Audi AG from November 1999 to 2005...
model.
Engine
- Type: 20 valveValveA valve is a device that regulates, directs or controls the flow of a fluid by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways. Valves are technically pipe fittings, but are usually discussed as a separate category...
Turbocharged Inline 4 cylinderCylinder (engine)A cylinder is the central working part of a reciprocating engine or pump, the space in which a piston travels. Multiple cylinders are commonly arranged side by side in a bank, or engine block, which is typically cast from aluminum or cast iron before receiving precision machine work...
DOHC - Displacement cu in (cc): 110 ( 1781 )
- Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 177.5 ( 132.4 ) / 5600
- Torque ft·lbf (Nm) at RPM: 173 ( 235.0 ) / 2100-5000
Suspension, brakes and tires
- Driveline: front wheel drive
- Suspension: front MacPherson struts / rear suspension with a degree of self steer
- Brakes front/rear: vented disc / disc , ABSAnti-lock braking systemAn anti-lock braking system is a safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to continue interacting tractively with the road surface as directed by driver steering inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up and therefore avoiding skidding.An ABS generally offers...
-ESCElectronic stability controlElectronic stability control is a computerized technology that may potentially improve the safety of a vehicle's stability by detecting and minimizing skids. When ESC detects loss of steering control, it automatically applies the brakes to help "steer" the vehicle where the driver intends to go...
-TCSTraction control systemA traction control system , also known as anti-slip regulation , is typically a secondary function of the anti-lock braking system on production motor vehicles, designed to prevent loss of traction of driven road wheels...
Exterior dimensions and weight
- Length × Width × Height in: 145.1 × 67.5 × 46.5
- Weight lb (kg): 2535 ( 1150 )
Derivatives
Based on the SEAT Tango roadster, there have been some more derivative models:- SEAT Tango spyder
- SEAT Tango coupé
- SEAT Tango Racer
External links
- http://www.caranddriver.com/news/auto_shows/2001_frankfurt_auto_show_auto_shows/appearing/seat_tango_auto_shows
- http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/13/tango-concept-could-see-production-says-seat/
- http://www.topspeed.com/cars/seat/2001-seat-tango-ar1268.html
- http://www.channel4.com/4car/ft/feature/concept+car/1410/1
- http://www.supercars.net/cars/1739.html
- http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z4033/Seat-Tango.aspx
- http://www.autobild.de/artikel/seat-tango_34825.html