SEAT Alhambra

The SEAT Alhambra is a seven-seater minivan that was built from 1996 to 2020. It was manufactured under the SEAT brand from June 1996 onwards at the Volkswagen Group's AutoEuropa plant in Palmela, Portugal. It shares the same platform with the Volkswagen Sharan, and the first generation was also related to the Ford Galaxy. The vehicle is named after the Alhambra of Granada, a famous monument in Spain. It is considered in the motor industry to be a large multi-purpose vehicle (MPV).

SEAT Alhambra
Front three-quarter view of a five-door road car with sliding rear-passenger doors.
Overview
ManufacturerSEAT
Also calledVolkswagen Sharan
Ford Galaxy (1996–2006)
Production1996–2020
AssemblyPortugal: Palmela (Autoeuropa)
Body and chassis
ClassLarge MPV (M)
Body style5-door multi-purpose vehicle
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive/four-wheel-drive

First generation (Typ 7M; 1996)
SEAT Alhambra Mk1 (7M)
Overview
Also calledVolkswagen Sharan
Ford Galaxy (before 2006)
Production1996–2010
Powertrain
EnginePetrol engines:
1.8 L I4 20V Turbo
2.0 L I4
2.8 L VR6 24v
Diesel engines:
1.9 L I4 TDI
2.0 L I4 TDI
Transmission6-speed manual
5-speed automatic
5-speed Tiptronic automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,835 mm (111.6 in)
Length4,634 mm (182.4 in)
Width1,810 mm (71.3 in)
Height1,762 mm (69.4 in)
Curb weight1,599–1,709 kg (3,525–3,768 lb)

A prototype of the first generation SEAT Alhambra was presented at the 1995 Geneva Salon International de l'Auto. The following year the production Alhambra was launched at the same motor show and went on sale in June.[1] The Alhambra shares most of its components and design with the VW Sharan Mk1 and Ford Galaxy Mk1. However, the Alhambra has more options fitted for a given price range. The Alhambra has seven seats—the five rear seats can be folded down or unclipped and removed completely. When removed the seats leave a flat-floored load space, a unique feature for SEAT vehicles at that time. The load volume varies, from 256l with seven seats, to 852l with five seats, and 2610l with only the two front seats fitted.

The Alhambra was essentially unchanged from 1996 to 2010 but a major restyling in the year 2000 reflected the new SEAT image. Even so, the Alhambra remained faithful to the original design produced under the Volkswagen Group and Ford technology sharing agreement. When Volkswagen and Ford lost market share to other manufacture's MPVs, including the Toyota Previa and Mitsubishi Space Wagon, they changed the design of their versions.

The Alhambra, Sharan, and Galaxy were built on the same production line at the joint venture AutoEuropa plant in Palmela, Portugal, and were essentially the same but with different engine options and interiors. Ford has now withdrawn from the collaboration, and the Galaxy Mk III and the S-Max (a seven-seater based on the Mondeo Mk IV platform) are built in Genk, Belgium, alongside the Mondeo. The AutoEuropa plant did produce the VW Scirocco III from 2008 to 2017.

Introduced in 2009, the SEAT Alhambra Ecomotive is fitted with the 2.0 TDI 140 PS (103 kW) engine producing 159 g/km CO2 emissions.[2]

  • Seat Alhambra pre-facelift (United Kingdom)
    Seat Alhambra pre-facelift (United Kingdom)
  • SEAT Alhambra first generation pre-facelift instrument panel
    SEAT Alhambra first generation pre-facelift instrument panel
  • Seat Alhambra facelift (Europe)
    Seat Alhambra facelift (Europe)
  • Seat Alhambra facelift (Europe)
    Seat Alhambra facelift (Europe)

Awards
  • 'Monovolume do Ano' award in 1997, in Portugal[3]

Engines

Second generation (Typ 7N; 2010)
SEAT Alhambra Mk2 (7N)
Overview
Also calledVolkswagen Sharan
Production2010–2020
Body and chassis
PlatformVolkswagen Group A6 (PQ46)
Powertrain
EnginePetrol engines:
1.4 L 110 kW (148 hp) TSI
2.0 L 147 kW (197 hp) TSI
Diesel engines:
2.0 L 103 kW (138 hp) TDI
2.0 L 125 kW (168 hp) TDI
Dimensions
Length4,850 mm (190.9 in)

The second generation SEAT Alhambra went on sale in October 2010.[4] At 4.85 m (15.9 ft) long, it is 22 cm longer than the first generation: it is also 9 cm wider. Like the new Sharan, access to the middle row of seats is via sliding doors.[5]

In February 2013 SEAT presented the Alhambra four-wheel-drive version featuring a permanent all wheel drive combined with the 2.0 TDI 103 kW (140 PS; 138 hp) diesel engine and a manual six-speed gearbox.[6]

In September 2015 the UK diesel models of the Alhambra were revised to meet the Euro 6 standards and the power outputs increased from 103 kW (140 PS; 138 hp) to 110 kW (150 PS; 148 hp) and from 130 kW (177 PS; 174 hp) to 135 kW (184 PS; 181 hp).

In March 2020 SEAT announced production of the Alhambra would end that month.[7][8]

  • SEAT Alhambra second generation rear doors now slide open rather than being hinged.
    SEAT Alhambra second generation rear doors now slide open rather than being hinged.
  • Rear view
    Rear view
2010

In 2010, the safety of the second generation SEAT Alhambra was assessed under the Euro NCAP scheme; it achieved a 5-star overall rating:[9]

Test Score Points
Overall: N/A
Adult occupant: 96% 34
Child occupant: 80% 39
Pedestrian: 46% 16
Safety assist: 71% 5
2019

The Alhambra in its standard European configuration received 4 stars from Euro NCAP in 2019.[10]

Awards
  • ‘Auto Trophy’ 2010 for the imported MPV category, by the German car magazine Autozeitung[11]
  • ‘Best imported MPV’ in 2011, by the readers of the German car magazine Auto, Motor und Sport[12]
  • ‘Best MPV on the market’ award in 2011, by the British magazine What Car?[13]
  • ‘Best MPV’ in 2011, at the UK Fleet World Honours[14]
  • ‘Best MPV’ in 2011, by the British motoring magazine Diesel Car
  • ‘MPV of the Year’ award in 2011, by panel members of the Portuguese ‘Car of the Year – Crystal Steering Wheel Trophy’[15]
  • ‘Best MPV’ in 2011, at the second edition of the Ecomotor Awards, organised by the Spanish newspaper El Economista
  • ‘Best MPV on the market’ award in 2012, by the British magazine What Car?
  • ‘Best MPV on the market’ award in 2013, by the British magazine What Car?

Engines
  • Petrol
    • 1.4 L 110 kW (150 hp) TSI
    • 2.0 L 147 kW (200 hp) TSI
  • Diesel
    • 2.0 L 103 kW (140 hp) TDI
    • 2.0 L 130 kW (177 hp) TDI
    • 2.0 L 85 kW (114 hp) TDI

Sales

Since 1996, almost 500,000 SEAT Alhambra have been sold.[16] In the year 2009, the total annual retail sales number of SEAT Alhambra cars was 6,215 vehicles.[17] The total production per year of Alhambras is shown below:

Model SEAT Alhambra
Total annual production
1996[18] 10,513
1997[19] 16,503
1998[20] 21,300
1999[20] 27,440
2000[20] 23,924
2001[21] 26,524
2002[22] 26,308
2003[23] 23,693
2004[24] 21,580
2005[25] 14,902
2006[26] 14,352
2007[27] 14,242
2008[28] 10,282
2009[29] 6,215
2010[30] 10,023
2011[31] 18,139
2012[32][33] 19,393
2013[34][35] 19,990
2014[36][37] 22,612
2015[38][36] 27,925
2016[39] 31,214
2017[40] 33,638
2018[41] 19,588
2019[42] 23,015
2020[43] 14,672
Total 497,987

References
  1. SEAT Hoy http://media.seat.com/en/company/368-seat-sa-en-cifras-2005-2009.html
  2. "SEAT Alhambra Ecomotive". Seat.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-01-06.
  3. "Alhambra on SEAT Portugal official site". Seat.pt. Retrieved 2012-01-06.
  4. "New SEAT models for 2010". Media.seat.com. 2010-03-24. Archived from the original on 2012-02-23. Retrieved 2012-01-06.
  5. "New SEAT Alhambra press release". Media.seat.com. 2010-04-19. Archived from the original on 2012-02-23. Retrieved 2012-01-06.
  6. Even more versatile with all-wheel drive http://media.seat.com/en/seat-news/746-seat-presentara-el-nuevo-alhambra-4-en-el-salon-de-ginebra.html?g2_language=en_GB
  7. Allan, Lawrence (27 March 2020). "Seat Alhambra taken off sale but VW Sharan sticks around". Autocar. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  8. "Seat Alhambra taken off sale". www.expressandstar.com. 27 Mar 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  9. "SEAT Alhambra Mk2 Euro Ncap 5-star rating". Euroncap.com. Retrieved 2010-11-24.
  10. "Official SEAT Alhambra 2019 safety rating". www.euroncap.com.
  11. AUTO TROPHY 2010 – DIE SIEGER ALLER KLASSEN http://www.autozeitung.de/leseraktionen/auto-trophy-2010-die-sieger-aller-klassen/VANS-IMPORTSIEGER-SEAT/n390609/22
  12. The SEAT Alhambra wins in best imported MPV category at annual auto motor und sport awards http://media.seat.com/en/seat-news/741-el-seat-alhambra-mejor-monovolumen-importado-segun-los-lectores-alemanes.html
  13. Car of the Year awards 2011 - MPV winner http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/what-car-car-of-the-year-awards-2011/mpv-winner/254786
  14. New awards for the SEAT Alhambra in Spain and Europe http://media.seat.com/en/seat-news/793-nuevos-premios-para-el-seat-alhambra-en-espana-y-europa.html
  15. The SEAT Alhambra voted ‘MPV of the Year’ in Portugal http://media.seat.com/en/seat-news/748-el-seat-alhambra-monovolumen-del-ano-en-portugal-.html
  16. Seat prevé caídas mensuales de ventas por encima del 30% hasta final de año http://www.elpais.com/articulo/economia/Seat/preve/caidas/mensuales/ventas/encima/final/ano/elpepueco/20100906elpepueco_13/Tes
  17. SEAT Annual report 2009 http://media.seat.com/info2010/annualreport/pantallacompleta.html
  18. "Volkswagen AG Annual Report 1996" (PDF). Retrieved 6 July 2019.
  19. "Volkswagen AG Annual Report 1997" (PDF). Retrieved 6 July 2019.
  20. "Volkswagen AG Annual Report 1999" (PDF). Volkswagen AG. 2010-09-13. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  21. "Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2000" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-02-06.
  22. "Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2001" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-02-06.
  23. "Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2002" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-02-06.
  24. "Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2003" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-02-06.
  25. "Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2004" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-02-06.
  26. "Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2005" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-02-05.
  27. "Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2006" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-02-05.
  28. "Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2007" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-02-05.
  29. "Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2008" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-02-05.
  30. "Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2010" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-02-05.
  31. "Seat mejora sus ventas mundiales un 3,1% en 2011". Elpais.com. Retrieved 2012-02-05.
  32. "Skoda Annual Report 2012" (PDF). Retrieved 2019-06-29.
  33. "Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2012" (PDF). Retrieved 2019-06-28.
  34. "Skoda Annual Report 2013" (PDF). Retrieved 2019-06-29.
  35. "Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2013" (PDF). Retrieved 2019-06-28.
  36. "Skoda Annual Report 2015" (PDF). Retrieved 2019-06-29.
  37. "Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2014" (PDF). Retrieved 2019-06-28.
  38. "Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2015" (PDF). Retrieved 2019-06-28.
  39. "Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2016" (PDF). Retrieved 2019-06-28.
  40. "Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2017" (PDF). Retrieved 2019-06-28.
  41. "Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2018" (PDF). Retrieved 2019-06-28.
  42. "Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2019" (PDF). Retrieved 2020-03-17.
  43. "Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2020" (PDF). Retrieved 2021-05-02.
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