The new SEAT Altea made its world debut today at the Geneva Motor Show, along with two new Diesel-powered versions for the Ibiza range – the Ibiza Cupra and Ibiza FR.

At the 2000 edition of the Geneva Motor Show, SEAT unveiled the Salsa, a concept car that bore the look the brand’s future models would adopt. It was followed by the Salsa emoción, Tango and Altea Prototipo. In all, four fascinating concept cars showcased at different motor show events in the last four years, which conform a stylish evolution that culminates in the road-ready SEAT Altea.

Being the first production vehicle developed by SEAT since its integration in the Audi Brand Group in 2002, the new model heralds a new generation based on the company’s three basic pillars – the Altea and the Ibiza and León models.

The Altea features the aesthetic and sporty characteristics of the brand’s future models and spearheads a new vehicle concept within the range, the MSV (Multi Sports Vehicle), which adds innovative, suggestive styling to compact mono-space values as well as the underlying characteristics of all SEAT models – sporty character and handling.

Pioneering the MSV concept, the model features several ground-breaking novelties, including FSI technology on a latest generation engine range, each delivering more than 100 hp output; a dual-clutch DSG gearbox, newly designed front suspension, multi-link rear axle, six airbags as standard (driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags), three-point anchoring on all SEATbelts, rear SEATs with Isofix system for child SEATs, Agile Chassis, ABS, TCS, ESP, new electro-mechanical steering gear, individual driver and passenger air conditioning, and an exclusive element of the SEAT Altea – wind-screen wiper blades camouflaged in the A-pillar.

Its design strength and sportiness are achieved through compact dimensions. The Altea is 428 cm long, 177 cm wide and 157 cm high, giving exceptional roominess in all five SEATs. Its two-tiered boot has a capacity of over 400 litres.

There are four engines available, two petrol, including the 150 hp (110 kW) 2.0 FSI and the 102 hp (75 kW) 1.6, while the Diesel range includes the 140 hp (103 kW) 2.0 16V TDI and the 105 hp (77 kW) 1.9 TDI versions.

The Altea is being manufactured exclusively at SEAT’s Martorell factory and will initially be sold in Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Italy and Greece.

Sporty stand

With approximately 930 square metres, the SEAT stand in Geneva harnesses over 1,830 horse power; and more than 800 horse power alone in five vehicles included in SEAT’s sportiest, high performance ranges – the Cupra and FR.

At this motor show, SEAT is featuring its history’s sportiest, most powerful Diesel engine model, the production series Ibiza Cupra equipped with a 160 hp (118 kW) 1.9 TDi engine. With the arrival of this Cupra, the brand is offering two high performance vehicles in its range developed by SEAT Sport, the new Ibiza Cupra Diesel and the León Cupra R. SEAT will shortly add its sportiest Ibiza model, the 180 hp (132 kW) 1.8 20VT petrol engine equipped Ibiza Cupra.

SEAT sportiness continues with the FR versions. A new addition to this range includes the new 130 hp (96 kW) Ibiza FR 1.9 TDI, for a total of five FR options – two Ibiza and three León. The Ibiza FR is available with the new 130 hp TDI engine and the 150 hp 1.8 20VT petrol engine, while the León FR is available with the 180 hp 1.8 20VT (with either front wheel drive or 4 traction) and the 150 hp 1.9 TDI.

Cupra and FR ranges, sportiness and high performance