FOR THOSE WHO WANT THAT LITTLE BIT MORE
21 March 2007 - Seat

SEAT’s whole brand philosophy is sporty fun models with plenty of ‘emocion’.

Part of the VW Group, and using their technology, the Spanish arm of the family pitch their products they say at customers who like cars with flair, passion and spirit and who want to stand out from the crowd.

And the message must be getting through because nearly 33,000 people bought SEATS in the UK last year, a 15% increase over the previous year. Their high profile involvement in touring car racing, both on a world and UK level, has appealed to younger buyers and perhaps to older purchasers as well who want to inject some ‘emocion’ into their lives.

They certainly have a distinctive and interesting range of models from superminis to family hatchbacks, compact and full-sized MPVs and saloons and probably if you saw the pictures from the Geneva motor show an SUV is on its way.

Until now the Altea crossover models which are high roofed hatchbacks, not quite MPVs, have been my favourite SEAT so the new Altea XL which went on sale in January was of particular interest to me.

SEAT describe it as a family estate and XL, I assume, means Extra Large because it adds 18.7cm or 7.5 inches to the overall length giving it more luggage space with all five seats in use and more rear seat legroom. Again this Altea is not quite an MPV or a hatchback and because of its coupe side styling treatment for the windows and clamshell back, it is not really an estate car in conventional terms. It should sell well to people who do not want to be pigeonholed as hatchback, estate or MPV users. It is about the size of the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra estates and the Peugeot 307 SW, but it is more distinctive to look at.

The standard Altea offers 409 litres of space which is not really enough for family holidays but the XL models have 532 litres and believe me that is a considerable improvement. Fold down the rear seats and if you want to go load lugging there is an impressive 1,604 litres of cargo room.

The new Altea XL is available with six engines – three petrol and three diesel – and two specifications: Reference and Stylance. All models boast a high level of equipment including air conditioning, four electric windows, folding tables on front seat back rests, cruise control, MP3 compatible CD player with aux-in socket, anti lock braking and traction control front wheel drive, twin front airbags, side and curtain airbags and remote central locking.

The best selling model is likely to be the 1.9 TDI Stylance priced at £14,995 which rather suggests at it is diesel that quite a number of these cars will double up as company cars as well as family transport. Prices start at just £12,995 for a 1.6-litre petrol model, which is a real bargain. Top of the range is a 2.0 TDI model with 170PS of power and priced at £18,045 so it will be a minority seller.

The Altea XL has a multi-link rear axle, electro-mechanical power-assisted steering, individual driver and passenger climate control for some versions and wiper blades concealed at rest within in the windscreen A-pillars.

Of course, as a family car, the Altea XL has to have a high level of passenger safety. Comprehensive active safety systems include ABS anti-lock braking, TCS traction control System and optional ESP electronic stability programme with a built-in EBA emergency braking system. As a member of the Altea family, the XL, under Euro NCAP tests, is rated with 5 stars for Occupant Safety, 4 stars for Child Protection and 3 stars for Pedestrian Protection, impressive but desirable features.

The Altea XL’s ‘face’ features a bold radiator grille, bonnet and headlamp design, while the SEAT Dynamic Line is clearly visible from the side. Starting at the front wheel arch and descending gracefully over the doors to the rear wheel, this line highlights the newcomer’s bold profile and is the recognisable characteristic of all SEAT''s new generation production models.

The interor is smart and above all practical. It does not follow the compact MPV route with seven seats so for some customers it will not measure up for their requirements. In truth in most medium sized people carriers the rear row of seats is hardly ever used because it does away with luggage space. An good feature to be found in the XL is the fact that legroom for the rear seats can be increased by sliding them backwards and this still leaves really good load space.

As for the front seats, just like in the standard Altea, the XL’s are notable for their lofty positioning – a plus point for those who prefer a higher viewpoint. Despite the Altea XL’s higher centre of gravity compared with an estate car, the chassis set-up is tuned to appeal to enthusiastic drivers and bodyroll is no more pronounced than a conventional estate but it does give a fiorm ride.

In common with the Altea range, the most prominent feature of the dashboard is the large central console which, slightly curved towards the driver, houses the audio system, as well as the optional navigation and climate control systems. In this way the instrument cluster and the console form a unit which surrounds the driver, with each control switch or instrument perfectly visible and within easy reach. On the down side I found the navigation system mounting pod positioned to the right of the driver’s field of view further obscured the visitibilty of the front right hand quarter. A significant negative point about all Altea models has been the thickness of the front A pillars which have a double section and so the front quarter visibility is not very good. It is made marginally worse by the vertical parking facilty of the wiper blades.

The three-spoke steering wheel has a sporty design and is both height and reach adjustable. It includes, on the Stylance model, multi-function controls for audio, telephone and navigation options.

The design of the Altea XL’s seats is both comfortable and supportive. The sliding driver’s seat is reclining and height adjustable, and also gives adjustable lumbar support on Stylance versions. Up to three passengers can ride on the rear seat, which becomes a two-seater when the central armrest is in use.

My test model was the 2.0-litre TDI Stylance 140PS version costing £16,895 but I suggest that a discount might well be in order if you bargain hard. I think the 1.9-litre TDI, Stylance with 105PS of power, priced at only £14,995, is a better bargain for family use.

MILESTONES: SEAT Altea XL 2.0 TDI Stylance. Price £16,895. Engine: 2.0-litre high pressure turbodiesel, 140PS, 320Nm of torque from 1,750rpm. Performance: 125mph, 0-62mph 9.9 seconds, 47.9mpg, (43.1mpg actual), CO2 157g/km. VED: Band D £135.
For: Distinctive styling, roomy, drives like a car rather than an MPV, well equipped, depending on engine chosen - good value for money.
Against: Poor front visibility, firm suspension does not absorb poorer road surface noise or potholes.

Miles Better News Agency

www.seat.co.uk

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