Latest News
New Seat Alhambra next year
16 October 2009
A replacement for the Seat Alhambra MPV will be launched next year, Autocar has learned.
The car is part of a series of new models from the Spanish brand, some of which are confirmed, others still under discussion for the next two years.
Bucking the trend for downsizing in the MPV segment, the new Alhambra will stay big.
“The Ford Galaxy is still the segment leader, and the new car will compete with that,” said Seat sales and marketing boss Jan Lafrentz.
Seat Leon coupe plan revealed
“Alhambra is an important car for us, with what we believe is a faithful customer base. We can’t afford to abandon these buyers.”
Later in 2010, possibly pushing into 2011, Seat will introduce its version of the VW Up city car. Lafrentz declined to confirm whether the Arosa name would be brought out of retirement for it.
There will be an all-electric version of Seat’s Up too, he confirmed, although company bosses expect it to sell in very limited numbers.
Beyond that, two significant cars could come into a play: a production version of the Tribu concept to rival the Nissan Qashqai, and a more outlandishly styled brand-building ‘Leon Coupe’.
“The Tribu has been under discussion since we showed the concept,” said Lafrentz. “There is great willingness within Seat to make it, but the final decision has not been taken yet.”
Following the Tribu to market, maybe as early as winter 2011, could be a compact Seat coupe intended to build the brand’s sporting credentials.
A Seat source also confirmed that more four-wheel-drive spin-off Freetrack models are possible.
He also said that there was still no future for the highly regarded Tango concept, or indeed any Seat convertible model.
“The Spanish market doesn’t buy open cars,” he said, “so it’s very difficult for us to make a business case for one of any size.”
Matt Saunders
Twitter - follow autocar.co.uk
See all the latest Seat reviews, news and video
Your say
Comments: 3 Join the discussion
