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Since the middle of last year, the Spanish branch of the Volkswagen group Seat has been presenting itself in the highly competitive SUV market with the Ateca. With this, the Spaniards want to close a gap in their attractive portfolio. The initial run on the counterpart to the Tiguan has led to over 7.000 units in Germany since its market launch. The people in charge demonstrate again and again that the first Seat SUV from Seat has more to offer than just “lavish” space, using it as a technology platform. Driver assistance systems with a focus on safety and comfort and its individual “Seat Drive Profile” are the highlights. Combined with the most powerful diesel and a seven-stage dual clutch transmission, the Seat Ateca XCELLENCE 2.0 TDI "4Drive" can be ordered from a Seat dealer at a list price of 36.000 euros.
Test report: Seat Ateca XCELLENCE 2.0 TDI 4Drive
The Spaniard just in case
The Ateca is what is commonly understood as a compact SUV. In keeping with Spanish tradition, it takes its name from geography. The municipality of Ateca is located in the province of Zaragoza in the center of the Iberian Peninsula. The appealing exterior shows the vehicle in a sporty, elegant look of the Seat family paired with a large grill and aggressive-looking LED headlights. These two components alone make the car stand wide and confidently on the road from the front. The headlights also form the beginning of a bead that connects the front and rear of the car. At the rear, this bead ends at the rear lights. Here, too, the overall picture gives us a confident note. During our 14-day test drive with the XCELLENCE 2.0 TDI "4Drive" with 140 kW (190 PS), we quickly noticed that the Ateca copes well with unevenness in urban traffic, looks very stable overall and offers comfortable handling. The increased ground clearance also qualifies it for driving on dirt roads and gravel roads. Last but not least, it masters the motorway stretches we drive comfortably and comfortably, giving us an all-round carefree feeling.
“SEAT Drive Profile” makes it easier
The standard consumption of 5,3 liters per 100 kilometers specified by the manufacturer is not quite achievable in practice. Our test car requires a good liter more. Still, that's a remarkably good value for a vehicle like the Ateca. In the terrain, which the Spaniard does not have to avoid in the worst-case scenario, consumption is slightly higher, however. The 2.0 TDI delivers a powerful 400 Newton meters of torque at 1.900 - 3.300 revolutions per minute. The power of the 190 hp engine allows the 1,6-ton car to accelerate from zero to 7,5 km / h in 100 seconds. At the top, up to 212 km / h are possible, which corresponds to a good benchmark for its aerodynamics. The calmly translated automatic seven-speed dual clutch transmission enables dynamic driving without noticing shift holes. This dynamic of the front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive SUV is supported by the "SEAT Drive Profile" system developed by Seat. In addition to permanent all-wheel drive, the driver can choose between six different modes. There is a round knob in the center console which, in addition to the "Normal", "Sport" and "ECO" settings, provides the options "Snow", "Off-road" and "Hill Descent". The latter ensures that every climb can be completed without any driving effort. With the support of the XDS drive control system, each wheel receives the power it needs to keep the vehicle moving evenly. During the intended presentation by Seat near Innsbruck a few weeks ago, we drove up a 200-meter-long slope with a lot of momentum on the accelerator using "Snow" mode. Once there, we set the "Hill Descent Control" function. The car maneuvered itself. Supported by one or the other steering movement on our part and the automatic braking of the vehicle, we arrived safely in the valley. The tests in the snow showed us that the Seat Ateca is absolutely equipped for every type of road surface and gives even the inexperienced driver a certain level of safety.
With great comfort in the interior
With a total vehicle length of 4,36 meters, there is space for five people in the interior. In terms of material and workmanship, Seat places a lot of value on a high standard anyway and so the Ateca also convinces in these points. The cockpit is clearly structured and with the already known "Plus" media system (8 inch color display, USB and AUX-in interface, Bluetooth® interface with integrated hands-free system and audio streaming, voice control, 8 loudspeaker ) equipped as an eye-catcher and control center. The optionally available panoramic sliding glass roof, which is available from the “Style” equipment line for 1.120 Euro, makes the Ateca appear larger and brings a certain feeling of well-being. This panoramic roof not only offers the driver and front passenger, but also passengers in the rear a clear view. Seat did not save on the trunk volume and immediately offers the “best-in-class” values. The vehicle offers space for the whole family and an additional trunk of 485 liters (4Drive). If the seating is folded down, even 1.579 liters (4Drive).
Well equipped with driver assistance systems
With the three equipment lines "Reference", "Style" and "Xcellence", the car manufacturer from Spain gives us enough options for every taste. The “Reference” basic equipment already includes an air conditioning system with pollen filter, electric window regulators at the front and rear, a height-adjustable driver's seat, fatigue detection and “Front Assist” environment monitoring system with city emergency braking function, hill start assistant and electronic parking brake including auto-hold function. The series in the "Xcellence" equipment line includes a reversing camera and the keyless locking and starting system "Kessy". Ateca offers a total of five security option packages. The most complex package is listed with package V from 965 Euro: traffic jam assistant and emergency assistant, high-beam assistant, lane departure warning system, traffic sign recognition, automatic distance control ACC (up to 210 km / h), blind spot assistant and parking assistant.
And finally ... A successful SUV right away. The Spaniard is late, but still huge. The Ateca combines space, benefits and high driving dynamics with effortless ease.
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Seat |
Ateca 2.0 TDI 4Drive |
| Motor | R4, diesel |
| Capacity | 1.968 ccm³ |
| Performance | 190 hp @ 3.500 - 4.000 rpm |
| kraft | 400 Nm @ 1.900 - 3.300 rpm |
| Transmission | 7-stage dual-clutch transmission |
| drive axle | all wheel drive |
| Length Width Height | 4.363, 1.841, 1.625 mm |
| wheelbase | 2.630 mm |
| Empty weight | 1.589 kg |
| turning circle | 10,8m |
| top speed | 212 km / h |
| Acceleration 0-100 km / h | 7,5 sec |
| standard consumption | 5.3 l / 100 km |
| everyday driver | 5.8 l / 100 km |
| Eco-expert | 5.2 l / 100 km |
| Field service mode | 6.0 l / 100km |
