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SEAT Alhambra

{{Short description|Large multi-purpose vehicle}}

{{Infobox automobile

| image = Seat Alhambra Style (II, Facelift) – f 20052021.jpg

| alt = Front three-quarter view of a five-door road car with sliding rear-passenger doors.

| name = SEAT Alhambra

| manufacturer = SEAT

| production = 1996–2020

| assembly = Portugal: Palmela (Autoeuropa)

| class = Large MPV (M)

| layout = Front-engine, front-wheel-drive/four-wheel-drive

| platform =

| body_style = 5-door multi-purpose vehicle

| aka = Volkswagen Sharan
Ford Galaxy (1996–2006)

}}

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).

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First generation (''Typ'' 7M; 1996)

{{Infobox automobile

| name = SEAT Alhambra Mk1 (7M)

| image = 1997 SEAT Alhambra TDi 1.9 Front.jpg

| aka = Volkswagen Sharan
Ford Galaxy (before 2006)

| production = 1996–2010

| body_style =

| platform =

| related =

| engine = Petrol 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

| transmission = 6-speed manual
5-speed automatic
5-speed Tiptronic automatic

| wheelbase = {{convert|2835|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

| length = {{convert|4634|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

| width = {{convert|1810|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

| height = {{convert|1762|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

| weight = {{convert|1599|-|1709|kg|abbr=on}}

}}

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.SEAT Hoy http://media.seat.com/en/company/368-seat-sa-en-cifras-2005-2009.html 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 {{convert|140|PS|kW|0|abbr=on}} engine producing 159 g/km {{CO2}} emissions.{{cite web|url=http://www.seat.co.uk/content/uk/brand/en/models/ecomotive/ecomotive-alhambra.html |title=SEAT Alhambra Ecomotive |publisher=Seat.co.uk |access-date=2012-01-06}}

1997 SEAT Alhambra TDi 1.9 Rear.jpg|Seat Alhambra pre-facelift (United Kingdom)

SEAT Alhambra Mk1 odometer.jpg|SEAT Alhambra first generation pre-facelift instrument panel

Seat Alhambra Facelift 20090706 front.JPG|Seat Alhambra facelift (Europe)

Seat Alhambra Facelift 20090706 rear.JPG|Seat Alhambra facelift (Europe)

=Awards=

  • 'Monovolume do Ano' award in 1997, in Portugal{{cite web|url=http://www.seat.pt/content/pt/brand/pt/models/alhambra/discover.html |title=Alhambra on SEAT Portugal official site |publisher=Seat.pt |access-date=2012-01-06}}

=Engines=

  • Petrol
  • 1.8L I4 {{Convert|110|kW|PS|0|abbr=on|lk=on}} 20V Turbo
  • 2.0L I4 {{Convert|85|kW|PS|0|abbr=on|lk=on}}
  • 2.8L VR6 {{Convert|150|kW|PS|0|abbr=on|lk=on}} 24V
  • Diesel
  • 1.9L I4 {{Convert|66|kW|PS|0|abbr=on|lk=on}} TDI
  • 1.9L I4 {{Convert|81|kW|PS|0|abbr=on|lk=on}} TDI
  • 1.9L I4 {{Convert|85|kW|PS|0|abbr=on|lk=on}} TDI
  • 1.9L I4 {{Convert|96|kW|PS|0|abbr=on|lk=on}} TDI
  • 1.9L I4 {{Convert|110|kW|PS|0|abbr=on|lk=on}} TDI
  • 2.0L I4 {{Convert|103|kW|PS|0|abbr=on|lk=on}} TDI

{{Clear}}

Second generation (''Typ'' 7N; 2010)

{{Infobox automobile

| name = SEAT Alhambra Mk2 (7N)

| image = 2012 SEAT Alhambra SE Ecomotive CR 2.0 Front.jpg

| aka = Volkswagen Sharan

| production = 2010–2020| body_style =

| platform = Volkswagen Group A6 (PQ46)

| related =

| engine = Petrol engines:
1.4 L {{Convert|110|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}} TSI
2.0 L {{Convert|147|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}} TSI
Diesel engines:
2.0 L {{Convert|103|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}} TDI
2.0 L {{Convert|125|kW|hp|0|abbr=on}} TDI

| transmission =

| length = {{convert|4850|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}

| width =

| height =

}}

The second generation SEAT Alhambra went on sale in October 2010.{{cite web |url=http://media.seat.com/es/noticias-seat/584-seat-invirtio-510-millones-de-euros-en-2009.html |title=New SEAT models for 2010 |publisher=Media.seat.com |date=2010-03-24 |access-date=2012-01-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223013552/http://media.seat.com/es/noticias-seat/584-seat-invirtio-510-millones-de-euros-en-2009.html |archive-date=2012-02-23 }} At {{convert|4.85|m|ft|abbr=on}} long it is 22 cm longer and 9 cm wider than the first generation. Like the Sharan access to the middle row of seats is via sliding doors.{{cite web |url=http://media.seat.com/en/seat-news/597-nuevo-seat-alhambra-mas-funcional-y-eficiente.html |title=New SEAT Alhambra press release |publisher=Media.seat.com |date=2010-04-19 |access-date=2012-01-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223013627/http://media.seat.com/en/seat-news/597-nuevo-seat-alhambra-mas-funcional-y-eficiente.html |archive-date=2012-02-23 }}

In February 2013 SEAT presented the Alhambra four-wheel-drive version featuring a permanent all wheel drive combined with the 2.0 TDI {{convert|103|kW|PS hp|0|abbr=on}} diesel engine and a manual six-speed gearbox.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

In September 2015 the UK diesel models of the Alhambra were revised to meet the Euro 6 standards and the power outputs increased from {{convert|103|kW|PS hp|0|abbr=on}} to {{convert|110|kW|PS hp|0|abbr=on}} and from {{convert|130|kW|PS hp|0|abbr=on}} to {{convert|135|kW|PS hp|0|abbr=on}}.{{Citation needed|reason=Multiple non-authoritative sources, primary source needed|date=May 2022}}

In March 2020 SEAT announced production of the Alhambra would end that month.{{cite web |last1=Allan |first1=Lawrence |title=Seat Alhambra taken off sale but VW Sharan sticks around |url=https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/seat-alhambra-taken-sale-vw-sharan-sticks-around |website=Autocar |access-date=2 April 2020 |language=en |date=27 March 2020}}{{cite web |title=Seat Alhambra taken off sale |url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/motors/2020/03/27/seat-alhambra-taken-off-sale/ |website=www.expressandstar.com |access-date=2 April 2020 |language=en |date=27 Mar 2020}}

File:12-02-02-autostadt-wolfsburg-046.jpg|SEAT Alhambra second generation rear doors now slide open rather than being hinged.

File:Seat Alhambra Style (II, Facelift) – h 20052021.jpg|Rear view

=Safety=

==Euro NCAP==

===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:{{cite web|url=http://www.euroncap.com/results/seat/alhambra/2010/420.aspx |title=SEAT Alhambra Mk2 Euro Ncap 5-star rating |publisher=Euroncap.com |access-date=2010-11-24}}

class="wikitable"
Test

|Score

|Points

Overall:

|{{rating|5|5}}

| style="text-align:center;"|N/A

Adult occupant:

| style="text-align:center;"|96%

| style="text-align:center;"|34

Child occupant:

| style="text-align:center;"|80%

| style="text-align:center;"|39

Pedestrian:

| style="text-align:center;"|46%

| style="text-align:center;"|16

Safety assist:

| style="text-align:center;"|71%

| style="text-align:center;"|5

===2019===

The Alhambra in its standard European market configuration received 4 stars from Euro NCAP in 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.euroncap.com/en/results/seat/alhambra/39134|title=Official SEAT Alhambra 2019 safety rating|website=www.euroncap.com}}

=Awards=

  • ‘Auto Trophy’ 2010 for the imported MPV category, by the German car magazine AutozeitungAUTO TROPHY 2010 – DIE SIEGER ALLER KLASSEN http://www.autozeitung.de/leseraktionen/auto-trophy-2010-die-sieger-aller-klassen/VANS-IMPORTSIEGER-SEAT/n390609/22
  • ‘Best imported MPV’ in 2011, by the readers of the German car magazine Auto, Motor und SportThe 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
  • ‘Best MPV on the market’ award in 2011, by the British magazine What Car?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
  • ‘Best MPV’ in 2011, at the UK Fleet World HonoursNew 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
  • ‘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’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
  • ‘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.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 In the year 2009, the total annual retail sales number of SEAT Alhambra cars was 6,215 vehicles.SEAT Annual report 2009 http://media.seat.com/info2010/annualreport/pantallacompleta.html The total production per year of Alhambras is shown below:

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
scope="col" style="width: 50px;" | Model

! SEAT Alhambra
Total annual production

1996{{cite web |title=Volkswagen AG Annual Report 1996 |url=https://www.volkswagenag.com/presence/konzern/images/teaser/history/chronik/annual-report/1996-Annual-Report.pdf |access-date=6 July 2019}}

|10,513

1997{{cite web |title=Volkswagen AG Annual Report 1997 |url=https://www.volkswagenag.com/presence/konzern/images/teaser/history/chronik/annual-report/1997-Annual-Report.pdf |access-date=6 July 2019}}

|16,503

1998{{cite web|url=http://www.volkswagenag.com/vwag/vwcorp/info_center/en/publications/2000/03/Annual_Report_1999.-bin.acq/qual-BinaryStorageItem.Single.File/VW_AR_1999_e.pdf |title=Volkswagen AG Annual Report 1999 |publisher=Volkswagen AG |date=2010-09-13 |access-date=2010-09-13}}

|21,300

1999

|27,440

2000

|23,924

2001{{cite web|url=http://www.volkswagenag.com/vwag/vwcorp/info_center/en/publications/2001/03/Annual_Report_2000.-bin.acq/qual-BinaryStorageItem.Single.File/VW_GB_2000_e.pdf |title=Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2000 |access-date=2012-02-06}}

|26,524

2002{{cite web|url=http://www.volkswagenag.com/vwag/vwcorp/info_center/en/publications/2002/03/annual_report_2001.-bin.acq/qual-BinaryStorageItem.Single.File/20020312_GB_2001_e.pdf |title=Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2001 |access-date=2012-02-06}}

|26,308

2003{{cite web|url=http://www.volkswagenag.com/vwag/vwcorp/info_center/en/publications/2003/03/annual_report_2002.-bin.acq/qual-BinaryStorageItem.Single.File/vw_gb_2002_en.pdf |title=Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2002 |access-date=2012-02-06}}

|23,693

2004{{cite web|url=http://www.volkswagenag.com/vwag/vwcorp/info_center/en/publications/2004/03/annual_report_2003.-bin.acq/qual-BinaryStorageItem.Single.File/20040309_gb2003_e.pdf |title=Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2003|access-date=2012-02-06}}

|21,580

2005{{cite web|url=http://www.volkswagenag.com/vwag/vwcorp/info_center/en/publications/2005/03/annual_report_2004.-bin.acq/qual-BinaryStorageItem.Single.File/Gbericht_2004_en.pdf |title=Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2004|access-date=2012-02-06}}

|14,902

2006{{cite web|url=http://www.volkswagenag.com/vwag/vwcorp/info_center/en/publications/2006/03/Volkswagen_AG__Annual_Report_2005.-bin.acq/qual-BinaryStorageItem.Single.File/gesch%C3%A4ftsbericht_2005_english.pdf |title=Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2005 |access-date=2012-02-05}}

|14,352

2007{{cite web|url=http://www.volkswagenag.com/vwag/vwcorp/info_center/en/publications/2007/03/Geschaeftsbericht_2006.-bin.acq/qual-BinaryStorageItem.Single.File/Annual_Report_2006_e.pdf |title=Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2006 |access-date=2012-02-05}}

|14,242

2008{{cite web|url=http://www.volkswagenag.com/vwag/vwcorp/info_center/en/publications/2008/03/Annual_Report_2007.-bin.acq/qual-BinaryStorageItem.Single.File/VW_AG_GB_2007_en.pdf |title=Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2007 |access-date=2012-02-05}}

|10,282

2009{{cite web|url=http://www.volkswagenag.com/vwag/vwcorp/info_center/en/publications/2009/03/GB_2008.-bin.acq/qual-BinaryStorageItem.Single.File/Y_2008_e.pdf |title=Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2008 |access-date=2012-02-05}}

|6,215

2010{{cite web|url=http://www.volkswagenag.com/vwag/vwcorp/info_center/en/publications/2011/03/Volkswagen_AG_Geschaeftsbericht_2010.-bin.acq/qual-BinaryStorageItem.Single.File/GB_2010_e.pdf |title=Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2010 |access-date=2012-02-05}}

|10,023

2011{{cite news|url=http://www.elpais.com/articulo/economia/Seat/mejora/ventas/mundiales/31/2011/elpepieco/20120110elpepieco_9/Tes |title=Seat mejora sus ventas mundiales un 3,1% en 2011 |newspaper=El País |date=10 January 2012 |publisher=Elpais.com |access-date=2012-02-05 |last1=Delgado |first1=Cristina }}

|18,139

2012{{cite web|url=https://cdn.skoda-storyboard.com/2016/05/skoda-auto-annual-report-2012.pdf |title=Skoda Annual Report 2012|access-date=2019-06-29}}{{cite web|url=https://www.volkswagenag.com/presence/investorrelation/publications/annual-reports/2013/volkswagen/english/GB%202012_e.pdf |title=Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2012|access-date=2019-06-28}}

|19,393

2013{{cite web|url=https://cdn.skoda-storyboard.com/2016/05/skoda-annual-report-2013.pdf |title=Skoda Annual Report 2013|access-date=2019-06-29}}{{cite web|url=https://www.volkswagenag.com/presence/investorrelation/publications/annual-reports/2014/volkswagen/english/Y_2013_e.pdf |title=Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2013|access-date=2019-06-28}}

|19,990

2014{{cite web|url=https://www.volkswagenag.com/presence/investorrelation/publications/annual-reports/2016/skoda/skoda-annual-report-2015.pdf |title=Skoda Annual Report 2015|access-date=2019-06-29}}{{cite web|url=https://www.volkswagenag.com/presence/investorrelation/publications/annual-reports/2015/volkswagen/english/GB+2014_e.pdf |title=Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2014|access-date=2019-06-28}}

|22,612

2015{{cite web|url=https://www.volkswagenag.com/presence/investorrelation/publications/annual-reports/2016/volkswagen/englisch/Y_2015_e.pdf |title=Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2015|access-date=2019-06-28}}

|27,925

2016{{cite web|url=https://www.volkswagenag.com/presence/investorrelation/publications/annual-reports/2017/volkswagen/en/Y_2016_e.pdf |title=Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2016|access-date=2019-06-28}}

|31,214

2017{{cite web|url=https://www.volkswagenag.com/presence/investorrelation/publications/annual-reports/2018/volkswagen/en/Y_2017_e.pdf |title=Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2017|access-date=2019-06-28}}

|33,638

2018{{cite web|url=https://www.volkswagenag.com/presence/investorrelation/publications/annual-reports/2019/volkswagen/en/Y_2018_e.pdf |title=Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2018|access-date=2019-06-28}}

|19,588

2019{{cite web|url=https://www.volkswagenag.com/presence/investorrelation/publications/annual-reports/2020/volkswagen/Y_2019_e.pdf |title=Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2019|access-date=2020-03-17}}

|23,015

2020{{cite web|url=https://annualreport2020.volkswagenag.com/servicepages/downloads/files/entire-vw-ar20.pdf |title=Volkswagen AG Annual Report 2020|access-date=2021-05-02}}

|14,672

Total

|497,987

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

{{Commons category|SEAT Alhambra}}

  • [http://www.seat.co.uk/content/uk/brand/en/models/alhambra/discover.html SEAT Alhambra official website]

{{SEAT}}

{{Modern SEAT vehicles}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Seat Alhambra}}

Alhambra

Category:Minivans

Category:Cars of Portugal

Category:Front-wheel-drive vehicles

Category:Euro NCAP large MPVs

Category:Cars introduced in 1996

Category:Cars discontinued in 2020

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Category:Cars powered by VR engines