Seat AlhambraPeople carriers -- the very expression assumes dullness, plodders in a world of sprinters.But the new Alhambra should make you think again.The original Alhambra, SEAT’s version of the Volkswagen Sharan and Ford Galaxy was a worthy vehicle that was as good as the others, but cheaper. Comparative cheapness was the keynote. The Alhambra we drove at the UK launch of the brand-new car costed out, with £1580 worth of optional extras (including a foul-looking, so-called ‘Boal Brown’ paint), at more than £32,000. (SEAT are yet to announce firm pricing.)Having got that snide little comment out of the way, it’s got to be said that the Alhambra is quite some impressive car. It’s extraordinary how much things have progressed. The digital revolution has put this car several generations ahead of its dinosaur predecessor.However, amongst the main points is that this is a 7-seater.I questioned SEAT about how much these seven seats are actually used. I mean, we remember the days when those cars with a third row of a double rear seat were a bit of a gimmick. But ‘Hey, they said, you can TAKE THE REAR SEATS OUT if you don’t need them!’ So we did, but they weighed 35 kilos each and where the heck could you put them anyway?That was then. Now, after a phone call to SEAT’s Head of Seven Seats, they could reveal to Motorsville that at least one in five owners will use all seven at least once a week and that 55% of owners will use all seven at least once a month. 45% expect to want to use all seven seats on an occasional basis and that the extra carrying capacity is a significant feature.New Alhambra has a very clever system: the seats all fold completely flat. Being a picky journo, I pointed out to the SEAT man that, to fold down or then to raise them up again, you had to first of all open the tailgate to pull the relevant bit of the back seat up and then go round to open the side door to put that rear seat’s cushion into place…or vice versa.He gave me a look and then asked me to compare that slightest of extra work with the old days. Well, fair enough.The carrying capacity is enormous with all seats (except the driver’s, of course) flattened out; you could almost squeeze an Ibiza into it. By the way, the high-spec electric versions are a bit less capable in this respect, as the front passenger seat does not fold completely flat.Sliding doors make entry and exit easy for the passengers in the back rows. On our test SE Lux version, these were electrically operated from either the front panel, or the B-pillar, or by using the door handle itself to start proceedings off. Also on this model, the rear tailgate is closed by pressing an electric switch.Further refinements include Conti tyres that self-seal if punctured on the running area.Driving the new Alhambra is another indication of how much we have moved on. This car holds its line beautifully on challenging corners and leans hardly at all. The 2.0-litre diesel power is delivered smoothly and in a pleasantly refined way. First impressions, therefore, are very favourable.The Alhambra range starts at £22,330.Oh…SEAT have revamped their nomenclature. Their cars may now be seen with, amongst other lettering on their backsides, E Ecomotive. You’ve guessed it. These cars are particularly friendly both to the environment and to your wallet. And before anyone says, “yes, but they’ve got to be dull”, well, they ain’t!Tom Scanlan - Nov 2010
Seat Alhambra
People carriers -- the very expression assumes
dullness, plodders in a world of sprinters.
But the new Alhambra should make you think again.
The original Alhambra, SEAT’s version of the
Volkswagen Sharan and
Ford Galaxy was a
worthy vehicle that was
as good as the others,
but cheaper.
Comparative cheapness
was the keynote.
The Alhambra we drove
at the UK launch of the
brand-new car costed
out, with £1580 worth of
optional extras (including
a foul-looking, so-called
‘Boal Brown’ paint), at
more than £32,000.
(SEAT are yet to
announce firm pricing.)
Having got that snide
little comment out of the
way, it’s got to be said
that the Alhambra is
quite some impressive car. It’s extraordinary how
much things have progressed. The digital revolution
has put this car several generations ahead of its
dinosaur predecessor.
However, amongst the main points is that this is a 7-
seater.
I questioned SEAT about how much these seven
seats are actually used. I mean, we remember the
days when those cars with a third row of a double rear
seat were a bit of a gimmick. But ‘Hey, they said, you
can TAKE THE REAR SEATS OUT if you don’t need
them!’ So we did, but they weighed 35 kilos each and
where the heck could you put them anyway?
That was then. Now, after a phone call to SEAT’s
Head of Seven Seats, they could reveal to Motorsville
that at least one in five owners will use all seven at
least once a week and that 55% of owners will use all
seven at least once a month. 45% expect to want to
use all seven seats on an occasional basis and that
the extra carrying capacity is a significant feature.
New Alhambra has a very clever system: the seats all
fold completely flat. Being a picky journo, I pointed out
to the SEAT man that, to fold down or then to raise
them up again, you had to first of all open the tailgate
to pull the relevant bit of the back seat up and then go
round to open the side door to put that rear seat’s
cushion into place…or vice versa.
He gave me a look and then asked me to compare
that slightest of extra work with the old days. Well, fair
enough.
The carrying capacity is enormous with all seats (except
the driver’s, of course) flattened out; you could almost
squeeze an Ibiza into it. By the way, the high-spec
electric versions are a bit
less capable in this
respect, as the front
passenger seat does not
fold completely flat.
Sliding doors make entry
and exit easy for the
passengers in the back
rows. On our test SE Lux
version, these were
electrically operated from
either the front panel, or
the B-pillar, or by using the
door handle itself to start
proceedings off. Also on
this model, the rear
tailgate is closed by
pressing an electric
switch.
Further refinements
include Conti tyres that self-seal if punctured on the
running area.
Driving the new Alhambra is another indication of how
much we have moved on. This car holds its line
beautifully on challenging corners and leans hardly at
all. The 2.0-litre diesel power is delivered smoothly and
in a pleasantly refined way.
First impressions, therefore, are very favourable.
The Alhambra range starts at £22,330.
Oh…SEAT have revamped their nomenclature. Their
cars may now be seen with, amongst other lettering on
their backsides, E Ecomotive. You’ve guessed it. These
cars are particularly friendly both to the environment and
to your wallet. And before anyone says, “yes, but they’ve
got to be dull”, well, they ain’t!
Tom Scanlan - Nov 2010
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