PHOTOS: Sergio Betancort.
In 1987, the Spanish painter, sculptor and landscaper, César Manrique, captured his art on a limited series of units of the first generation Seat Ibiza. Baptized with the artist's last name, Seat Ibiza-Manrique-del Sol, the Spanish brand's model was shown at the Barcelona Motor Show of the same year, standing out for its innovative, original design full of color so characteristic of César Manrique's painting. Now, 28 years later, Cicar/Grupo Cabrera Medina – Orvecame (Lanzarote), Seat and the César Manrique Foundation have presented a special edition of the current Ibiza with the incorporation of the Canarian painter's original design.
The event took place this Wednesday at the César Manrique House Museum in Haría and was attended by Mikel Palomera, director of Seat Spain; José Juan Ramírez, president of the César Manrique Foundation; and Mamerto Cabrera, manager of Cicar/Grupo Cabrera Medina - Orvecame. Mikel Palomera highlighted that "for Seat it is a pride to re-edit such an exclusive and special model as the Ibiza painted by César Manrique in the 80s, thanks to Cicar and the César Manrique Foundation". "Talking about the Ibiza is talking about our most popular model and we are very pleased that from now on it can show off this limited and unique edition on the roads of the Islands", he added.
José Juan Ramírez, president of the César Manrique Foundation, declared for his part that "César Manrique's legacy is more alive than ever, and a good example of this is the re-edition" of this vehicle that he painted in 1987. "We want to thank Cicar and Seat Spain for their work and collaboration, the true architects of the idea, who from the first moment showed their enthusiasm for carrying out this original initiative," he thanked.
For his part, Mamerto Cabrera, manager of Cicar, pointed out that "the Cabrera Medina Group studied the possibility of adapting César Manrique's design to the new versions of the Ibiza and today it is already a reality". "With this, we also expand our connection with the great artist that César Manrique was, since the logo of our group was also designed by Manrique. Without a doubt, the Ibiza with César's design will be the center of all eyes in the Canary Islands", he concluded.
The event was also attended by representatives of the Canarian and local public institutions, as well as the world of culture, business organizations and the media. At the end of the event, Mamerto Cabrera presented the César Manrique Foundation with a painted model of the new Seat Ibiza, which will be exhibited in the House Museum of the Lanzarote artist in Haría.
Almost 100 units of the current Ibiza, with the design of César Manrique
With this initiative, starting next Saturday, May 30, Cicar will incorporate the 96 Seat Ibiza with Manrique's design into its rental car fleet throughout the Canary Islands, vehicles that it has acquired from the official Seat dealer in Las Palmas.
Specifically, the car fleet belongs to the three-door SC version, with a 1.2 TSI 85 hp engine and Style finish.