SEAT Altea Euro NCAP 5 Stars
Billed by many as the sexiest people carrier ever, the Altea with its sweeping lines and sharp styling has a real sporty look that few MPVs can match.
A jumbo-size version of the Altea, the new XL, is almost 19cm longer than the standard car, which substantially increases both passenger legroom and boot space.
With four specification levels (Essence, Reference, Stylance and FR ) all vehicles come with a good range of equipment. A unique feature is the wipers which rest in the upright position in the windscreen pillars for the largest possible sweep. Even the Essence trim is available with air-conditioning, electric front windows, cruise control, ABS and traction control and a six-speaker radio and MP3 compatible CD player. FR models get a sportier cabin which includes sports seats, white instruments and a different steering wheel.
Six airbags are standard on all cars, as is ABS, with a built-in emergency braking system and traction control. There are also ISOFIX child seat mounts. Security is taken care of with an alarm, remote central locking, deadlocks and immobiliser. Euro NCAP gave the Altea a top 5 star safety rating and a further four stars for child Protection, which is about as good as it gets.
Two petrol engines are offered, a 1.6 and a 2.0 litre, along with 1.9 and 2.0 turbo diesels. The 1.6 and 1.9 TDIs have a five-speed manual gearbox; the rest have six gears. The FR is offered with an even more powerful diesel which gets from 0-62 in 8.6 seconds and can do 129mph The petrol FR is available with Seats DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) transmission. The tried-and-tested 105bhp 1.9 TDi is most frugal while the 140bhp 2.0 TDi feels sportier.
Emissions figures for the Altea are definitely pushing the boundaries of green technology for a vehicle of this size, especially the 1.9 TDI with its 146g/km giving it an excellent VED banding of C. Fuel economy is also particularly impressive with the 1.9 diesel specifically shining with its 62.8mpg combined and 52.3 mpg extra
urban figures.
Entry-level Reference model equipment includes air conditioning, one-touch electric front windows and drivers seat height and lumbar adjustment. Stylance adds electric door mirrors, cruise control, auto-dim rear view mirror, climate control air conditioning, an eight-speaker audio system with steering wheel controls and
leather covered steering wheel and gearknob. The Sport version gets racier five-spoke alloy wheels, sports seats and sport suspension. Metallic paint, a rear parking sensor and an electric sunroof are optional on all models. Completing the range FR models, the
sportiest Altea, have an electronic stability programme, two-zone climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels, titanium-coloured door mirrors, re-designed bumpers and chromed twin exhaust pipes.
All models come with a 2 year unlimited mileage manufacturers warranty plus a further 1 year / 60,000 miles (whichever is soonest) retailer warranty. The combined warranty means that you are covered from the registration date of your car, for a total of 3 years
or up to 60,000 miles, a (depending on which comes first). In addition you also get a 3 year paint and 12 year anti-corrosion warranty and 1 year breakdown cover.
About the manufacturer
SEAT is committed to the continuous improvement and
environmental compatibility of its vehicles, extending to its manufacturing, sales and recycling centres and rational use of natural resources with a view to greater environmental protection. It endeavours to use the best available, economically viable and efficient technologies and builds them into the life cycle of its
products.
SEAT has put in place and certificated an Environmental
Management System (EMS) pursuant to standard UNE-EN-ISO 14001.
So as to make its vehicles continuously and increasingly
environmentally-friendly, SEAT looks at their environmental characteristics from the very beginning of development.
The aim is to use those materials which are most compatible with protecting the environment including, avoiding the use of harmful substances. Priority is also given to renewable and recycled materials.
As research carried out to date has shown SEAT that the main environmental impact of the vehicle is during use one of their main aims is the minimization of petrol consumption by means of weight reduction and improved aerodynamics. State-of-the-art technology is used to improve engine performance and reduce
emissions. Catalytic converters substantially reduce harmful substances in exhaust gases.
To control the transfer of potentially polluting substances, both in use and at final management, SEAT has paid particular attention to the design of water-tightness so as to avoid accidental leaks;
measures have also introduced to facilitate emptying of liquids.