Are you the SEAT Ateca, the Spanish SUV?

It seems that, at last, SEAT’s SUV is finally going to become a reality, after years of waiting and several models that served as a “substitute”.

Although its presentation is scheduled for the Geneva Motor Show, which will take place in a month, the first authentic image of the Ateca, which is what it is going to be called, is already circulating online.

SEAT has not had a great tradition of SUV models in its range. The closest thing the Spanish brand has offered in recent years has been the Altea Freetrack, a rugged version of the Altea XL. Just some plastic wheel-arch protection, specific wheels and more robust bumpers set it apart from the “on-road” models.

Despite offering the option of all-wheel drive, the Altea Freetrack was never perceived by the general public as a 100% SUV, which meant its sales figures were far below expectations, unable to compete on equal terms with other models that did manage to win over buyers, such as the VW Tiguan or the Skoda Yeti. Today, the closest thing to an SUV that SEAT has is the Leon ST Xperience, something like a Spanish-style Audi Allroad which, by the way, we will be testing in the coming days at Highmotor.

SEAT Altea Freetrack (2009)

Nevertheless, the Spanish brand wants to make a strong statement, aiming to win its slice of the pie in one of the most contested and fiercely competitive segments of the Spanish market. There has been a lot of speculation about both the look and the name of the vehicle in question. Finally, it seems this SEAT will be christened Ateca, and that it will indeed be a proper, 100% SUV.

Clearly, SEAT is arriving very late to this segment, which is dominated by models such as the Nissan Qashqai and the Kia Sportage. Even Renault has beaten it to it with the Kadjar. However, although it may seem like a handicap at first glance, it could turn out to be somewhat positive for the brand, which can observe the market to see where it needs to focus.

Until we see it in person, the Ateca will offer an attractive design, but not a revolutionary one

For now, there is not much information about the Ateca, although thanks to a photograph taken of the car’s multimedia system, we can see something of its final appearance. It seems the people at SEAT have decided not to take too many risks with the design of the SUV, and have therefore taken the “easy route”, that is, enlarging the Leon, adding four “adventurous” details, and off we go.

The Ateca will be built, like the Leon, on the modular platform of the Volkswagen MQB Group. It will use practically the same components as its cousin the Tiguan, which means TSI and TDI four-cylinder transversely mounted engines, non-permanent all-wheel drive via a Haldex clutch, and 6- and 7-speed manual and DSG automatic gearboxes.

Via | theautomobilist.fr

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverSEAT Ateca3 versions · from 33,442 €