SEAT Altea

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SEAT Altea

Manufacturer	SEAT
Parent company	Volkswagen Group
Production	2004-present
Class	Compact MPV
Body style	5-door MPV
Wheelbase	2580 mm
Length	Altea: 4280 mm Altea XL: 4470 mm
Width	1770 mm
Height	Altea: 1560 mm Altea XL: 1580 mm
Related	Audi A3 SEAT León Škoda Octavia Volkswagen Golf Mk V Volkswagen Touran
Similar	Ford Focus C-MAX Honda FR-V Mazda5 Opel Zafira Renault Scénic Toyota Corolla Verso

SEAT Altea XL

The SEAT Altea is a compact MPV produced by Spanish automaker SEAT and named after Altea, Spain. The vehicle was designed by the Italian Walter de'Silva and launched in 2004 as the first example of SEAT's new corporate look. The current Toledo is identical except for the addition of a larger boot; another extended version, the Altea XL, has been presented at the 2006 Paris Motor Show.

The Altea was released a few years after many of its competitors arriving on the scene, but it was expected to sell well. However, it exceeded expectations and 31,223 Alteas were sold within the first year.

It is a family-oriented five-seater which attempts to portray a more sporty image than most of its rivals. The car is based on the A platform, the same as several other cars from the Volkswagen Group, such as the compact MPVs Volkswagen Golf Plus and Volkswagen Touran. An unusual design feature is the 'vertical parked' windscreen wipers, they disappear in to the window surround either side of the screen. The effect is a completly clean swepped windscreen but does mean the 'A pillars' are rather wide and cause a bit of a blindspot.

It has a five star EuroNCAP rating. There are six trim levels: Essence, Reference, Reference Sport, Stylance, Sport and FR. Eleven engines are available, with the range-topping 2.0 FR TDI delivering 170 bhp, available since April 2006. There are four gearboxes available (depending on market and engine); five or six-speed manual, five-speed tiptronic and six-speed Direct-Shift Gearbox.

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City car	Panda						Marbella											Arosa
Supermini		Fura				Ibiza I								Ibiza II / Córdoba I									Ibiza III / Córdoba II
Small family car		Ronda				Málaga							Toledo I							León I / Toledo II						León II

Panel van																	Inca
Compact MPV																									Altea / Toledo III
Large MPV																	Alhambra