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The 2001 SEAT Tango Concept, showcased at the Frankfurt Motor Show, aimed to revive the spirit of sporty convertibles from the 1950s and 1960s through a design that prioritized purity and functionality.
The interior of the Tango displayed a seamless integration of primary materials, creating a continuous flow that echoed the aesthetics of the cockpit. Unpolished aluminum tubes, resembling a metal skeleton, were strategically visible throughout, serving both functional and aesthetic purposes.
One of the standout features of the SEAT Tango was its streamlined headlamps, free of internal structures, with xenon-dipped headlights and sidelights that dynamically followed the direction of the front wheels. The Safety Skeleton, a complex tubular structure derived from World Rally Car safety cage designs, intricately housed the front and rear suspension, featuring a degree of self-steer, along with the 180 horsepower engine that powered the front wheels.
In terms of exterior design, the Tango, with its aluminum body, measured 3685x1714x1181 mm, and featured a distinctive color scheme with ash metallic Tango Gray for outer and some inner panels, complemented by matte, rough-textured surfaces in a warm chestnut hue for the front panel, seats, steering wheel, and roll bar elements. The unique "tongues" behind individual roll bars opened to reveal small trunks, adding practicality to the roadster.
The fixed Tango bucket seats, forming part of the body's power structure, required adjustments to the steering column and pedal assembly for an ideal driving position. The powerful 180 PS 1.8-liter turbocharged engine, capable of reaching 235 km/h and accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in seven seconds, was paired with a six-speed gearbox.
While the SEAT Tango never made it to mass production, it left an indelible mark as a running prototype that encapsulated SEAT's commitment to creating a mood through design. The Tango concept, with its harmonious shapes and advanced features, stood as a testament to SEAT's innovative spirit in the automotive realm.
Source & Images: SEAT, SA
