Vibrant Spanish car maker SEAT is bringing some much-needed Latin heat to the chilly 78th 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 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 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.