As suggested earlier, Volkswagen's Spanish subsidiary Seat has confirmed that it will be entering their Tribu concept from Frankfurt this year into production in 2009. The news has failed to surprise many as the announcement had been expected with carmakers nowdays often showcasing production models thinly veiled as concepts.

Based on the platform of the Volkswagen Tiguan SUV, which is starting sales this year, the Seat sports a much bolder front end and a radically different rear hatch. It is also slightly smaller, and has only two doors, as opposed to the Tiguan's four. The SEAT Tribu is clearly an SUV, with its generous ground clearance and four-wheel drive system, but its compact shape and sports-car-like detailing will allow it to compete favourably against competing models from the Japanese carmakers.

The Tribu is said to signal a new design theme for Seat, and is the first Seat model penned by former Lamborghini designer Luc Donckerwolke.