ONE STEP AHEAD

Whatever your reason for needing a bit of space, it is good to know that when you get into the SEAT Altea you have loads of it. A large cabin and great road-handling credentials put the SEAT Altea not one but rather two steps ahead of the rest. Did we mention that it also has some of the most advanced safety features in its class, and that it combines supreme comfort with cutting-edge technology?

Make that ''miles ahead''.

PICTURE VIEWER

  • Wash as you go: Headlights with automatic washers.

  • Have a spill-safe journey: One of the many practical features of the SEAT Altea.

  • Fold it down, and keep on rolling: How to entertain rear seat passengers.

  • The interior of the SEAT Altea – contemporary and practical.

  • Seeing is believing. Bi-xenon headlights provide intense vision.

  • SEAT Media System now includes Bluetooth® audio streaming.

  • Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS).

  • Hill-Hold Control braking system.

  • Hill-Hold Control braking system.

  • Hill-Hold Control braking system.

DESIGN

The SEAT Altea's exterior design update includes a front bumper and grille, mirrors, a wider rear windscreen, rear lamps, optional bi-xenon headlights, a tasty tailgate and alloys. Inside, the SEAT Altea still has class-beating cabin space. All in all, it's like a breath of fresh air.

STABILITY

The SEAT Altea's class-beating road-holding credentials are due in part to a multi-link rear axle. As part of our commitment to safety, all Altea models are fitted as standard with an Electronic Stability Control (ESC). So, if a wheel starts slipping, the SEAT Altea's ESC compensates, and stops it from doing so - something that significantly improves the grip you've got on the road. Plus ESC now includes Hill Hold Control, which stops you from rolling down a slope the moment the clutch is engaged. The result is greater stability and safety, agility and comfort. Bring on the curves!

PERFORMANCE

Versatility would be nothing without performance, and the SEAT Altea has what it takes. Its already sporty drive is given some extra pepper with options such as the famous 6-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) which - thanks to steering wheel-mounted paddle controls - allows you to change gears in a fraction of second. There is also Dynamic Steering Response (DSR), a gearshift indicator - so you can get the best performance out of your SEAT Altea whatever your mood - and, of course, there is the possibility of Common Rail engineering, making your ride more efficient and all the quieter. Other options such as cruise control adds up to a car that's as big on performance as it is on the space inside.

TECHNOLOGY

What would life be without a few surprises? Nice ones, of course. Like the multi-function steering wheel with integrated and upgraded Bluetooth® which includes an agenda function. Like the instrument cluster with fancy white graphics. Like the touch-screen navigation system complete with SD card slot and colour screen. Naturally, things are iPod®, MP3 and USB-friendly. After all, there is no predicting how you like your music.

If you include the Convenience Pack, you'll get rear parking, rain and light sensors and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror. And if you add the Technology pack, you'll get all that plus front parking sensors with an Optical Parking System (OPS) when specified with the SEAT Media System, which lets you see your parking progress on the navigation system display. Plus, the SEAT Media System now includes DAB radio functionality, so you'll have digital radio for your entertainment.

COMFORT

In optimising the design of the SEAT Altea we tried to anticipate your needs every step of the way. For your interior comfort the SEAT Altea comes standard with air conditioning, or dual zone climate control for SE models and above - meaning that driver and front passenger can enjoy their personal perfect driving temperature.

If you choose the optional Family Pack, you'll also get a roof-mounted 7'' TFT screen with RCA connection, along with additional roof storage boxes, a storage box under the parcel shelf and a forward sliding rear seat.

Enjoy the easy life.

SAFETY

Thanks to the Adaptive Front-Lighting System (AFS) the SEAT Altea's bi-xenon headlights follow the rotational movement of the steering wheel, giving you illumination where you need it most. The cornering lights serve a similar purpose - activated by the indicator signal, a cornering light housed in the fog lamp illuminates the area in the direction you intend to turn. Like the Daytime Running Lights (for cars specified with bi-xenon headlights), this also makes you more visible to oncoming drivers.

Safety is as much about road holding as it is about protection. And for road holding the SEAT Altea is king. This is due to its multi-link rear axle and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), which is in turn linked to the Traction Control System (TCS). In its latest incarnation the TCS has its sensors in the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), which prevents wheel spin at lower and higher speeds. The combination quite simply turns bad roads into good ones. Also, while talking about the brakes, the SEAT Altea comes with Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) which maximises the braking power in the shortest available time. Meanwhile, the interior rear view mirror has been fitted out with an auto-dimming rear view mirror (when specified as part of the Convenience Pack) to prevent the driver from getting blinded by glare from the car behind.

It remains to be mentioned that the SEAT Altea has been awarded with the maximum five star NCAP safety rating. Six airbags come as standard, while thorax airbags for the passengers in the rear lateral seats are optional. If you are family-minded ISOFIX is fitted as standard, meaning your child seat can be secured directly to the chassis. Something which has won the Altea four stars on the Child Occupants test. And finally, you may also be glad to learn that the car has won the highest possible score for pedestrian safety.

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