Photo: SEAT
After the news broke that the Ibiza ST had to die due to poor sales, another model from the SEAT lineup will be consigned to the history books. That’s optimistic, though, chiefly because history books don’t care about multi-purpose vehicles like the Alhambra.
Introduced in 2006 and now in its second generation, the Alhambra is a badge-engineered Volkswagen Sharan. As a large MPV with seating for seven, the family-oriented box on wheels is designed to compete with the likes of the Renault Espace and Ford Galaxy. For all intents and purposes, there’s nothing wrong with the Alhambra. It’s the consumer that has changed in recent years, hence the reason why MPVs are nearly dead.
Speaking to Auto Express, the Spanish automaker’s design head told it as it is. “We do not want to do that body style anymore,” said Alejandro Mesonero. “We will replace it, but not with the one-box design we have now. SEAT will launch a seven-seater [model], but that is not desirable now... everyone is buying SUVs right now." And so, we'll focus our attention on the 20V20.
“The what?” The SEAT 20V20, a concept introduced in 2015 that previews the indirect successor of the Alhambra. If it appears to look like a Leon on stilts with Ateca genes in areas such as the rear end, you’re bang on with your assumption. Expected to roll into European showrooms by 2018, the yet-unnamed crossover SUV with seating for seven won’t be made in Spain. Due to its layout and because this is the Volkswagen Group, the new model will be built alongside the 2017 Skoda Kodiaq in Kvasiny, the Czech Republic.
Essentially the SEAT Ateca’s bigger brother, the 20V20 Concept-based seven-seater model will be underpinned by Volkswagen MQB platform. Predictably, front- and 4Drive all-wheel-drive are on the menu, as is a selection of TSI turbo petrol and TDI turbo diesel engines. Fingers crossed a Cupra version or a 2.0-liter bi-turbo version of the TDI will also become available.
Speaking to Auto Express, the Spanish automaker’s design head told it as it is. “We do not want to do that body style anymore,” said Alejandro Mesonero. “We will replace it, but not with the one-box design we have now. SEAT will launch a seven-seater [model], but that is not desirable now... everyone is buying SUVs right now." And so, we'll focus our attention on the 20V20.
“The what?” The SEAT 20V20, a concept introduced in 2015 that previews the indirect successor of the Alhambra. If it appears to look like a Leon on stilts with Ateca genes in areas such as the rear end, you’re bang on with your assumption. Expected to roll into European showrooms by 2018, the yet-unnamed crossover SUV with seating for seven won’t be made in Spain. Due to its layout and because this is the Volkswagen Group, the new model will be built alongside the 2017 Skoda Kodiaq in Kvasiny, the Czech Republic.
Essentially the SEAT Ateca’s bigger brother, the 20V20 Concept-based seven-seater model will be underpinned by Volkswagen MQB platform. Predictably, front- and 4Drive all-wheel-drive are on the menu, as is a selection of TSI turbo petrol and TDI turbo diesel engines. Fingers crossed a Cupra version or a 2.0-liter bi-turbo version of the TDI will also become available.
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