Seat’s New SUV Might Be Called The Ateca

The VW Group is expanding its SUV lineup and after Skoda announced

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by Cristian Gnaticov

February 2, 2016 at 17:04

The VW Group is expanding its SUV lineup and after Skoda announced its VisionS Concept for Geneva, its Spanish cousin will attend the same event with a compact model.

Seat’s first ever SUV will be based on the Leon hatchback with ~~Autocar~~ Autoexpress now reporting that it will be called the Ateca instead of Aran, as previously thought. The name was apparently trademarked in November 2015, along with the Teqta, Conqera, Teroqa and Formentera.

Visually speaking, the vehicle will be similar to its hatchback brother and unlike the 20v20 design study, shown last year, which offered a second preview after the 2011 IBX Concept, it lost its sloped roofline and was adapted for production, as a leaked image revealed.

Similarities with the Leon should be found in the engine lineup too, which is expected to gain TSI and TDI petrol and diesel units and even a Cupra version. Powertrains will be connected to six-speed manual and DSG transmissions, which will send power to the front or all four wheels, depending on the model.

The Seat Ateca SUV will target the Nissan Qashqai, but a smaller model might be introduced as a Juke rival. Development will apparently continue with a larger seven-seat SUV.