The Spanish offshoot of the Volkswagen Group is demonstrating its position in the group with units sold more than 93.000 in the last year, whereby the six-figure mark was broken in the order volume. Contributed to 6.900 units has since mid-2016 the new Ateca, with the Seat closes a gap in its portfolio. The Spaniards do not get tired. to present their "bestseller" bit by bit. The first SUV from the house Seat has a lot more to offer than "just" enough space. Seats engineers use their SUV as a technology carrier. Equipped with various driver assistance systems that serve both safety and comfort, the Ateca now also starts with the "4Drive drive control settings". Other driving profiles are included such as "snow" and "off-road". Available now, the new features in the new Ateca are available from the dealer at the starting price of 26.970 Euro (1.4 EcoTSI 4Drive).
The new Seat Ateca 4Drive in the first off-road driving report
Spurt with all-wheel drive even in the snow
Contrary to the trend of some automakers to label their vehicles with names from a combination of letters and numbers, the Spanish automaker remains true to its tradition. The Ateca got its name in good seat manner from the Spanish geography: The municipality Ateca lies in the province Zaragoza in the center of the Iberian peninsula. Since its launch, the SUV convinced with its appearance. His designers gave him a big grill and aggressive-looking LED headlights. These two components alone allow the car to be wide and confident on the road from the front. The headlamps also form the beginning of a bead that connects the front and rear car with each other. At the rear, this bead ends again at the tail lights. Again, the overall picture gives us a sovereign note again. For today's presentation, however, Seat would generally like to draw attention to the driving characteristics with its different driving profiles, the 4Drive drive control settings "Snow" and "Off-road". In addition, the Hill Descent Control function is available, which ensures that every climb can be completed without any effort. Supported by the XDS drive control system, each wheel gets the power it needs to keep the vehicle moving evenly. For these tests, Seat invited to the hinterland of Innsbruck. On snow-covered slopes and groomed slopes we learned the skills of the Spanish SUV in various workshops.
Top performance in the snow
First we went up the next mountain in a guided column. Narrow snow-covered paths are apparently no challenge for the Ateca in "Snow" mode. The SUV pulls up and down the mountain with ease. The Ateca digs through passages with deeper fresh snow with a short “kick-down” on the accelerator. The car pushes itself back on track. When we arrive at the “base camp”, the next instructor sends us to the so-called “drift workshop”. We are asked to try out both modes (snow and off-road) on a huge area with pylon gates set far apart. Again and again we play with both the throttle response and the counter-steering. After two laps, driving the Ateca gives us a certain routine that brings us through the course with confidence. At the third and final workshop, the SUV from Spain should show us how easy it is for us to drive the vehicle both up and down a slope. Nothing easier than that: in "Snow" mode, you go up with a lot of momentum on the accelerator. The Ateca shoots up safely over an approximate distance of 200 meters. Once there, we set the "Hill Descent Control" function. The car now maneuvers itself. Supported by one or the other steering movement on our part as well as the automatic braking of the vehicle, we arrive safely in the valley. Our tests in the snow show 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.
Interior with a good ambience
The tested Ateca Xcellence 2.0 TDI 4Drive with seven-speed dual-clutch transmission not only impresses with the extreme mountain and workshop rides. On the way from the Innsbruck airport to the event location, we cover a few kilometers on the country road and highway, which are mastered with great comfort, such as the well-tuned chassis and driver assistance systems such as the adaptive cruise control system. The optionally available panoramic glass sliding roof, which is available from the equipment line "Style" for 1.120 Euro, makes the Ateca look even bigger and brings a certain sense of well-being. This panoramic roof offers not only the driver and front passenger, but also the passengers in the rear a clear view. The boot volume has not saved Seat and offers equal to the "best-in-class" values. So the vehicle offers space for the whole family and in addition a trunk of 485 liters (4Drive). In folded down even 1.579 liter (4Drive).
Engine power with plenty of torque
The engines on the new Ateca are quite clear. In addition to the two diesel units, Seat offers its customers two petrol engines, each with one power level. A 1.0 TSI Ecomotive with 85 kW (115 PS) and a 1.4 Eco TSI with 110 kW (150 PS) perform in the petrol sector. The larger petrol engine is also available in 4Drive mode with the medium “Style” equipment. If the 1.0 liter variant is only presented with a six-speed manual transmission, the 1.4 Eco TSI engine can be combined with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission or in 4Drive mode with a six-speed double clutch transmission. The diesel unit we tested can be ordered in two performance levels and 4Drive mode. The diesel entry is formed by a 1.6 liter TDI Ecomotive with an 85 kW (115 hp) engine, which already delivers decent key figures with a torque of 250 Newton meters at 1.500 - 3.250 revolutions. The diesel unit with a displacement of 2.0 liters and a power level of 110 kW (150 hp) and 140 kW (190 hp) is particularly impressive due to the increased torque. If 150 Newton meters come onto the road at 340 - 1.750 revolutions with the 3.000 HP engine, the 190 HP engine pushes forward with a good 400 Newton meters at 1.750 - 3.250 revolutions. Here, however, Seat only allows a combination with a six-speed manual and a seven-speed dual clutch transmission.
Lush safety equipment on board
With the three equipment lines "Reference", "Style" and "Xcellence" the carmaker from Spain gives us enough options for every taste. Already the basic equipment "Reference" includes an air conditioner with pollen filter, electric windows front and rear, a height-adjustable driver's seat, fatigue detection and environment monitoring system "Front Assist" with city emergency braking, hill-start assist and electronic parking brake incl. Auto-hold function. A total of five security options packages complete the offer of the Ateca. The most elaborate package lists with package V 965 Euro: Traffic Jam Assistant and Emergency Assistant, High-Beam Assistant, Lane Keeping Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Automatic Distance Control ACC (up to 210 km / h), Blind Spot Assist and Parking Assistant.
And finally ... With the Ateca Seat creates the entry into the segment of the SUV with a certain ease. The combination of a comfortable family vehicle with a generous amount of space and a vehicle with high driving dynamics in all situations has been successful.
The Seat Ateca proves its “stamina” even in the snow and is a good choice for a new purchase, not just as a family vehicle. Nothing stands in the way of off-road use.
Text: Stefan Beckmann, Photo: Stefan Beckmann and Rolf Klatt photography