Seat
SEAT reveals more images and details of the 2011 Alhambra
SEAT has released more images and details regarding the 2011 Alhambra MPV. The new Alhambra is available in two trim options including Reference and Style. The base Reference model comes standard with seven airbags, ESP plus electronic brake assist, a tire pressure monitoring system, Isofix points for the rear seats and driver-side electronic rear door blocking.
Also included are door mirrors with LED indicators, heat-shielded side and rear windows, an electric hand brake, a trip computer and more. Highlight features with the Style trim include a 3-zone climate control system, cruise control, headlight beam sensor with dipping function, rain-sensing wipers, a three-spoke multifunctional steering wheel as well as second row and driver’s seat with electric height, lumbar and backrest adjustments.
Under the hood the 2011 Alhambra is available with two diesel powerplants – a 140hp and a 170hp version of a 2.0 liter TDI CR. The petrol family is currently made up by a 150hp 1.4 liter TSI but a top-of-the-line 200hp 2.0 TSI is expected to arrive by end of the year. All engine options are available with an engine Start/Stop function and an energy recovery system. Both the diesel options are also available with a 6-speed twin-clutch transmissions (DSG).
The 7-seater 2011 Seat Alhambra which is based on Volkswagen’s Sharan MPV also comes with 885 liters of trunk space which can be increased to 2,297 liters when all the seats, except for the front two are folded down. Continue reading to view an image gallery. Read the rest of this entry.
VW Sharan-based 2011 Seat Alhambra MPV launched
Seat has revealed the 2011 Alhambra MPV that is based on the Volkswagen Sharan. The MPV measures 4.85 meters long is 22 centimeters longer than the model it replaces and is also wider by 9 centimeters. The Alhambra is able to seat seven and features 885 liters of trunk space, if the third row is folded away. This space can be increased to 2,297 liters when all the seats, except for the front two are folded.
The Alhambra which goes on sale this summer comes with both diesel and petrol engines. The petrol or TSI engines feature 150hp and 200hp power outputs while the other two diesel TDI units can output 140hp and 170hp. According to the press release all four engines are fitted with engine start/stop and brake energy regeneration.
Having enough safety features is important for an MPV and Seat understands this. The Alhambra comes standard with seven airbags, including a driver-side knee airbag and electric child locks on the rear doors. There is also ABS and ESP, including electronic braking assistant, trailer stabilisation and tyre pressure monitoring display.
More images can be found after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
Seat Leon Ecomotive delivers 10,000 miles on a full tank! Whats the catch?
Seat which is under the Volkswagen Group has announced that the Leon Ecomotive can deliver 10,000 miles with a single fuel tank. When I first read the title on the press release, I thought that the Ecomotive features some high-tech gadgetry but the reason behind the big number is simple: a larger fuel tank!
The Ecomotive which is a prototype at the moment has a 545-liter fuel tank which is equivalent to 120 gallons. The drive system is already capable of returning 83.1 miles to the gallon hence with a tank that is capable of holding 120 gallons, the 10,000 figure above can be achieved.
But the 83.1 miles to the gallon number is impressive at the same time and a 1.6 liter TDI engine with a new start-stop technology is responsible for this. To enable the Seat to carry a large fuel tank, engineers had to remove the rear seats. However there is a luggage space on top of the new tank, but this should be rather small.
The prototype also has a revised suspension to accommodate the heavier fuel load while the brakes have been uprated as well. So how do you refuel? Well at least ‘you’ don’t have to. The Seat Leon comes with a 12-month/10,000-mile service interval and you can refuel with diesel when you send your car in for servicing. The tank is not fitted with a conventional fuel filler system and requires a Seat dealer to do the job.
With this, you don’t have to deal with the hassle of refueling a car at a station, such as waiting in line and using the same nozzle that is used by thousands. More importantly, you safe time. It could probably take about 5-10 minutes to make a refuel and if you do that every week, thats about 30 minutes of your time.
UPDATE: This is apparently an April Fool’s joke by Seat UK. It is said that the car does not exist.
Seat Ibiza ST’s initial images released
Seat has released a set of photos that depicts the Ibiza ST estate. The ST will be launched at the Geneva Motor Show and will be offered with six different options. The ST is 4.23 meters long, which is more than 18 centimeters longer than the standard Ibiza. With that, boot space is rated at 430 liters and this number can be increased once the rear seats are folded down.
The above mentioned six-engine option is made up by three petrol units and three diesel engines and four of them have direct injection and are force inducted. These engines range between 70hp and 105hp. There will be three trim levels including Reference, Style and Sport. Buyers will also be able to choose a dual clutch transmission. More images can be found after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
Frankfurt 2009: Seat IBZ Sport Tourer Concept
What you see above is Seat’s IBZ Concept, which from the looks of it, is almost production-ready. Seat did not reveal what is under the hood, but words are being exchanged that the Spanish auto maker may drop in a 180HP 1.4-liter TFSI engine when the production version goes on sale sometime in 2010.
Highlights of the exterior includes LED head and taillights, LED indicator lights, panoramic sunroof as well as five double-spoke 19 inch alloy wheels. Inside, it has lightguide strips that run through the dashboard and the doors, instrument binnacle hood, door panels, pillars and ceiling that are finished in suede and a centre that houses a screen displaying radio and iPhone functions, and a purpose-built iPhone slot as well as a stylish climate control system.
Furthermore, the Seat IBZ Concept has a boot space that is figured at 410 liters, which can be significantly increased once the rear seats are folded down. Read the rest of this entry.
SEAT to present the 265HP Leon Cupra R in Frankfurt
Volkswagen-owned Spanish auto maker SEAT has announced that it will present the Leon Cupra R at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show. Under the hood of the Cupra R lies a 265HP direct-injected 2.0 TSI engine, that is able to accelerate the R to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds, up to a top speed of 250 km/h. Fuel consumption on the other hand is rated at 8.1 liters per 100 kilometers.
Visually, the Cupra R features the ‘R’ lettering on the grille and at the lower right of the hatch, the right instrument dial and the remote control key. It is also treated to 19-inch five double-spoke wheels shod with 235/35 tires, 17 inch 345 x 30 mm front disc brakes with 16 inch 286 x 12 mm at the rear, competition styled bucket seats in grey alcantara upholstery, white LED lighting on the instrument dial, a leather multi-functional steering wheel and an aluminium pedal arrangement.
Other features, among others, include ABS, traction control, ESP, electronic brake assist, electronic self-blocking XDS, front airbags, 2 side airbags, 2 head airbags, passenger airbag disconnection, rear window seat Isofix anchoring points, low tyre pressure warning, automatic lights on, rain sensing wipers, rear parking sensor, cruise control, tri computer, cornering foglights, dual zone climate control as well as an audio system equipped with MP3 playback and 8 speakers. Continue reading to view a high-res image gallery. Read the rest of this entry.
Seat releases UK pricing for the Ibiza FR, Ibiza Cupra and Ibiza Baconegra
Spanish-based and Volkswagen-owned auto maker Seat, has released official pricing for its Ibiza FR, Ibiza Cupra and Ibiza Baconegra hatch backs. The new Ibiza FR is powered by a 1.4 TSI twin-charged powerplant that develops 150HP and is mated to a 7 speed DSG twin-clutch transmission. Pricing starts from £14,995 for the FR which is able to hit 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds, and feature a top speed of 209 km/h.
The Ibiza Cupra also features a 1.4 liter TSI motivator, but outputs 180HP. Mated to a 7 speed DSG twin-clutch transmission, the Cupra can sprint from naught to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds, all the way up to 225 km/h. The Cupra starts from £15,995. The Ibiza Baconegra shares the same engine and transmission, along with performance figures with the Cupra, and is offered with a base price of £16,695.
