Axis of design

With the new Ibiza, Seat has managed what japanese carmakers will not ever probably achieve: it proves, that the spanish brand acquired the highest level of copying the design and style. They are able to work inspired and influenced, still not becoming a copycat (that's, where Asians fail). The modern Seat success comes from the Volkswagen technology and management, but also from the beauty of its new cars. Simply, with hiring Walter Da Silva - former Alfa Romeo designer - they implemented the cloverleaf style to its boring, half-german, half-nothing, cars. The design transplant worked wonderful – the new Leon, Altea and Ibiza cars brought millions of euro profit and made themself a respectable name and reputation. It was a clear signal, that one can make a car that is very similar to another, not being a brutal copy. It can be described as a spirit, maybe. The new Seats were very similiar to Alfas in a lot of details – but never the same. What is more significant – it was never worse. While the Alfa is immersing into the MiTo and 8C soft gayness, Seat is getting better and better. The second edition of Leon is probably the best compact Alfa ever made. It's to be seen, how knotty the paths of modern design can be.
However, the times are a-changin. With the new Ibiza, they broke off the italian ties, and came somewhere north - to Germany. The sculptural style of the new spanish hatch can be easily traced back from the BMW 1 Series profile. It's Bayerische Motoren Werke parking lot, where tanned designers appretice now. After interpreting the italian style so well, we can curiously, but safely look forward , what this german lesson will bring next.