SEAT has finally confirmed that it will produce a new compact SUV model which will come to market in 2016

This will be the company’s first ever crossover which has been in development for almost two years at the Martorell facility in Spain.

The model is said to ride on a modified version of Volkswagen Group’s MQB architecture which will offer the choice of either standard front-wheel drive or optional four-wheel drive. Power is expected to come from an extended range of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines shared with the SEAT Leon.

“This is an excellent piece of news, since it takes SEAT into a new territory, in one of the largest and fastest growing segments in the world,” declared SEAT Chairman Jurgen Stackmann today in the Annual Results Press Presentation. “The SUV is an important pillar in the future corporate strategy and is a major step forward on the road to reaching sustainable profitability for the company,” he added.

Although it will be the first crossover/compact SUV to wear the SEAT badge, the Spanish company has previously produced such a body style with the Audi Q3 at its aforementioned Martorell factory since 2011.

*Please note that pictured is the Seat IBX Concept which debuted live in Geneva this year.