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motor makeover Fresh new look for SEAT's Ateca and Tarraco

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SEAT Ateca

SEAT Ateca

SEAT TARRACO

SEAT TARRACO

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SEAT Ateca

Daragh Keany

SEAT Ateca and Tarraco

Not content with sitting on their market-positioned laurels, SEAT has gone and released two new refreshed versions of their hugely popular Ateca and Tarraco SUVs.

Now sitting with 3.9 per cent of the car market here (thanks in part to the new updated Leon which both Motormouths adored driving earlier this year) the Spanish brand is looking to increase that popularity with some sweeping changes for the 2021 models.

Let's start with the smaller of the two SUVs. The Ateca has only had a few subtle changes to the outside but the sum of its parts now means that it is a very stylish looking medium range-sized vehicle.

To the front there's a new grille and slimmer LED headlights. And at the back there has been some not-at-all-necessary yet highly-effective housekeeping that tidies it up nicely and it is branded with the new script-style Ateca logo at the bottom of the boot door.

Inside there's a new 9.2-inch infotainment screen with the latest software, and wireless connections for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, new chrome details and some new seat trims. Behind the chunky steering wheel there's also a new 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and loads of online connectivity options, including voice recognition, and access to online services such as parking information.

Importantly there's now a new trim to choose, called Xperience, which adds "a dash of off-road character" and includes black front and rear bumpers, side and wheel arches, with side mouldings and front and rear mouldings finished in aluminium look.

The basic engine in the Ateca is a 1.0-litre TSI three-cylinder turbo petrol with 110hp. The next engine up is the 1.5 TSI turbo petrol four-cylinder with 150hp (priced from €33,035), and then there are pair of 2.0-litre diesels with either 115hp (from €33,415) or 150hp (from €34,690). A DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox is optionally available.

And now on to its big brother, the Tarraco, which was voted Ireland's Large SUV of the Year for 2020. Luckily, there isn't much new about the exterior styling to talk about at all (we love last year's version so much) but there is a new FR trim which includes the new 9.2-inch infotainment screen and some surprisingly good-looking new high-backed bucket seats up front.

And it is clear that SEAT believe the future of this beast lies in diesel as the range starts with a 2.0-litre 150hp TDI, and there's an optional new 200hp TDI version too. And yes -that does still have a four-wheel drive DSG automatic transmission.

If you fancy petrol, there is the option of the 1.5 TSI 150hp turbo engine.

Prices for the new Tarraco start from €38,260 for the standard model and €45,605 for the FR version.

Later next year, SEAT will start selling the new Tarraco e-Hybrid, which promises 49km electric-only range and CO2 emissions starting from 37g/km.

There is a big asterisk on this though, as the PHEV battery architecture will mean that you will lose the seven-seat option.

The Tarraco PHEV will earmark the start of a new policy at the car giant with plug-in hybrid versions of the Leon and Leon SportsTourer also due soon. Also, we can't forget SEAT's new EV, the El Born, which is due on sale at the end of next year, too.

Sunday World

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