
SEAT Altea XL
The 'SEAT Altea' is a
Compact car or
Mini MPV produced by Spanish automaker
SEAT and named after
Altea,
Spain. The vehicle was designed by the Italian
Walter de'Silva and launched in
2004 as the first example of SEAT's new corporate look. The current
Toledo is identical except for the addition of a larger boot; another extended version, the 'Altea XL', has been presented at the
2006 Paris Motor Show.
The Altea was released a few years after many of its competitors arriving on the scene, but it was expected to sell well. However, it exceeded expectations and 31,223 Alteas were sold within the first year.
It is a family-oriented five-seater which attempts to portray a more sporty image than most of its rivals. The car is based on the
A platform. An unusual design feature is the 'vertical parked' windscreen wipers, they disappear in to the window surround either side of the screen. The effect is a completely cleanly swept windscreen but does mean the 'A pillars' are rather wide and cause a bit of a blind spot.
It has a five star
EuroNCAP rating. There are six trim levels: Essence, Reference, Reference Sport, Stylance, Sport and FR. Eleven engines are available, with the range-topping 2.0 FR
TDI delivering 170 bhp, available since April 2006. There are four gearboxes available (depending on market and engine); five or six-speed manual, five-speed
tiptronic and six-speed
Direct-Shift Gearbox.
Despite being visually very similar to the Toledo upon which it is based, the Altea has sold very well in the
UK and has proved itself more popular than the Toledo.
External links
★
Official SEAT Altea website
★
Official SEAT Altea XL website