SEAT Marbella

SEAT Marbella
Manufacturer	SEAT
Parent company	Volkswagen Group
Also called	SEAT Panda
Production	1986–1998
Class	City car
Body style(s)	3-door hatchback
Related	Fiat Panda mk I

Initially the car was badged as the SEAT Panda

The SEAT Marbella was a badge-engineered Fiat Panda (1983-86 "Mark I" model), produced by SEAT in Spain from 1986 until 1998.

Previously, the model was called SEAT Panda and was a direct clone of the Fiat Panda model, but its name and some parts had to be changed because of a break in the relationship with Fiat. The SEAT model never received the mechanical upgrades and cosmetic tweaks (such as the loss of front window quarter-lights) applied to Fiat Pandas (making them "Mark II") from 1986. The obvious differences between a Panda and a Marbella are at the front and back of the car where head and tail lights and boot panels are different, the Marbella gaining a pronounced slope to the front panel. Mechanically, the Marbella borrowed heavily from the Fiat "parts bin", using engines and transmissions from the Fiat 127. The engine is an in-line 4-cylinder with 40 hp (30 kW) and 903 cc. This proved adequate for this light car which weighed in at about 700 kg. Due to the long development history of this engine, these models are said to be almost unbreakable in normal use. Several differently labelled models were produced during the lifetime of the car, with few corresponding significant changes in specifications. Models included L, Special, GL, and GLX. It sold well in Spain, which is where SEAT originate from.

Commercial version

SEAT Trans, mid 1980s

A van version of the Marbella was produced in Spain until the late 90s, called the SEAT Terra. It shared the underpinnings and front of the car, but its back was replaced by a large, high metal box; there was also a load rack above the cab roof. It was very popular in Spain, and was also available in export markets. Before this, a van based on the Marbella's predecessor (the SEAT Panda) was also available. In much the same configuration as the Terra, it was called the SEAT Trans and was extremely similar to the Fiat Panda's commercial version.