03igup: Seat Tango Concept 2001

Monday, October 17, 2011

Seat Tango Concept 2001

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Featuring a two-door two-seater roadster body style riding on a cut-down SEAT Ibiza platform, it is powered by a 180 PS (130 kW; 180 hp) 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.

Seat Tango Concept (2001)

Seat Tango Concept (2001)
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.

2001 seat tango concept car 2

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 Pischetsrieder, 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 Dr 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.