Available to order new, the new model – named after a village in Spain – is the first SUV to be launched by the brand and focuses on distinctive design with practical features plus high-tech assistance systems and attractive value for money. It will also offer two-wheel and four-wheel drive versions.

“The SEAT ATECA is called to be our next brand pillar following the successful Leon and Ibiza. The SUV segment offers us enormous opportunities, as sales in Western Europe will grow by a 25%,” said Luca de Meo, chairman of the Executive Committee of SEAT, S.A. “Moreover, the arrival of the SUV will be a key contributor to brand image improvement. That is our key challenge.”

Based on the same platform as the VW Tiguan, the Ateca is 4.36m in length and brings boot space of 485-litres for all-wheel drive versions and 510-litres in standard configuration.

Exterior design blends styling from sister models such as the Leon including its triangular headlights and the trapezoidal grille with SUV styling. The interior is based on a cockpit design cockpit with a clear driver focus.

Engine line-up will offer a range of turbocharged TSI petrol and TDI diesel engines spanning from 115hp to 190hp, with either front-wheel or all-wheel-drive, mated to manual or dual-clutch DSG transmissions.

From launch, the entry-level petrol engine is the 115hp 1.0 TSI and there’s a 150hp 1.4 TSI. The consumption and emissions figures for these engines are between 5.3 and 6.2 litres and between 123g/km and 141g/km.

Diesel engines include a 115hp 1.6 TDI and 150hp and 190hp versions of the 2.0 TDI. Consumption figures for the diesels range from 4.3 to 5.0 litres / 100 km, the CO2 figures from 112g/km to 131g/km.

Technology options run from full-LED headlights through a broad portfolio of assistance systems, such as Traffic Jam Assist and Emergency Assist, right through to a package of high-end  infotainment systems with eight-inch touchscreens and Full Link connectivity.