In the driver's SEAT

By RICHARD LINKLATER

Volkswagen importer European Motor Distributors is set to relaunch the Spanish SEAT brand in New Zealand before the end of the year. Much has changed for the marque since it last appeared here in the 80s, when it was represented by the low-price, low-quality Fiat-derived Ibiza.

Now, SEAT is part of the VW group and uses platforms and engines from the German marque to underpin the Spanish styling packages.

The well-established Ibiza hatchback and Cordoba sedan are based on Polo running gear and the Leon five-door and Toledo four-door share their platform and engine line-up with the Golf.

The brand has a strong base in rallying, where it has won the Formula 2 championship for the past three years. In Europe, SEAT models are marketed as sporty - and less expensive - alternatives to mainstream VWs.

The distributor here says it will take a similar approach, sticking to a relatively simple model line-up.

"We see SEAT's image lying somwhere between Subaru and Alfa Romeo," says Dean Sheed, head of VW operations.

"As far as the line-up goes there would be no point complicating things. But because there are many shared components with VW models, there are obvious synergies for us."

No firm decisions have been made on which models will come to New Zealand, but the highly acclaimed Leon - launched in Europe this year and identified by VW Group head Ferdinand Piech as the second most important model, after the Golf, in the carmaker's worldwide catalogue - will almost certainly be the centrepiece.

"It's an exciting vehicle," Sheed says, "with everything from an entry-level 1.6-litre right through to a high-performance 2.8-litre four-wheel-drive version."

The SEAT Arosa city car is also under consideration. This tiny three-door is closely related to the VW Lupo, but differs in engine options, exterior styling and interior design.

"We're currently waiting for a phone call which will determine whether we will offer the Lupo," Sheed says.

"We would certainly consider selling the Arosa as well, but that would depend on price. It would make no sense for the SEAT to compete with the VW."

European Motor Distributors is still negotiating for the franchise, but in the meantime is testing the water with a shipment of 200 Cordobas.

These idiosyncratic-looking sedans are year-old pre-facelift cars (an updated Cordoba has just come out in Europe) originally intended for Australia, where the SEAT brand was axed late last year.

Th distributor is thought to have picked up the Cordobas after hearing that an independent importer was after them.

The Cordobas, available in two engine sizes, are being offered through select dealers in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. The 1.6-litre five-speed costs $20,995 and the the 1.8-litre automatic is $23,995.

The budget prices reflect the surplus-stock origin, but standard equipment for both includes twin airbags and air conditioning and they are backed by a two-year/100,000km warranty and roadside assistance programme.

European Motor Distributors has a special Euro-Deal finance package for the Cordoba.