Top Gear Magazine awards the SEAT ATECA the best for modern families award in its latest issue.

• SEAT’s first SUV named Top Gear magazine’s “Best for Modern Families”
• SEAT Ateca classed as ideal for families, combining practicality, value and style
• Judges won over by Ateca’s impressive array of safety and driving technology

Judging by the latest issue of Top Gear magazine, the stylish SEAT Ateca, the brand’s first foray into SUV territory, seems to be as adept at attracting plaudits, as it does British customers.

Picking up from its first UK award win only a few weeks ago with Auto Express, the SEAT Ateca is now revelling in the glory of being named the “Best for Modern Families” car in the Top Gear Best ‘Cars in the World’ issue.

Facing up to stiff competition in an already crowded marketplace, the Ateca provides drivers with the practicality, and value and necessary for a family SUV, while combining the Barcelona-based brand’s impeccable sense of style. 

While space is a key feature for families with children, so are driver assistance and infotainment options – anything that can make life that little bit easier. The Ateca, which Top Gear has judged to be the best car for modern families, combines both. 

Notable features include the wireless phone charger, Full Link technology for seamless smartphone connectivity, a 360-degree parking camera and a Virtual Pedal, which allows the boot to be opened, and closed, hands-free simply by waggling a foot underneath the rear bumper.

Charlie Turner, Editor of Top Gear magazine, said, “Families require practicality and safety but we cannot forget style, and the Ateca ticks all the boxes. Great dynamics, strong construction and a comprehensive range of driver-assist and connectivity options make the Ateca a great choice for the modern family.”

Commenting on the win, Richard Harrison, Director, SEAT UK, said, “This is fantastic news for our new SEAT Ateca and adds to the great momentum that it has been developing even before its launch in this country. The award is testament to what an enticing all-round package it is for families, as a desirable, high-tech, stylish and well-built SUV.”

Top Gear is Britain’s best-selling car magazine and its ‘Best Cars in the World’ issue will be fully available on 30 November 2017.

Professional Driver magazine’s Car of the Year awards the SEAT Alhambra MPV of the year.

Not unaccustomed to hauling in the odd award, SEAT’s range-topping Alhambra has added to its ever-growing trophy cabinet with its latest trophy as MPV of the Year at Professional Driver magazine’s Car of the Year awards.

Facing up to stiff competition, the Barcelona-based brand’s ultra-practical and stylish people-mover, in SE Lux 2.0 TDI guise, was judged to be the best seven-seater MPV for Private Hire operators.

Mark Bursa, Editor of Professional Driver Magazine, said: “Private Hire operators still need full-size people-movers, and the Alhambra really fits the bill. 

Facelifted last year with new sat nav, lights and Euro 6 engines, it has always been a potent product. It’s a genuine seven-seater, with ease of access via sliding doors, not to mention low running costs.”

Commenting on the win, Steve Mirfin, Product Manager, Alhambra, SEAT UK, said: “The Alhambra was developed with comfort and practicality in mind. Few MPVs manage to offer the space, design and running costs that Private Hire operators want; the Alhambra excels in all of them, and this award is confirmation of that.”

Professional Driver magazine, the monthly publication for the UK private hire, chauffeur and taxi industry tests its awards shortlisted models rigorously. 

The awards are judged by readers who are invited to a one-day test event to put the cars through their paces. Vital statistics such as boot space and sat nav are then put under the microscope, followed by the final hurdle, putting in a winning show on the whole-life running cost front.

The updated LEON family gets sharper looks, better tech, new engines and is an allround better car.

• New SEAT Leon receives subtly updated design with greater elegance and dynamism
• Raft of new additions across the range, including new engines, state-of-the-art technology such as Connectivity Box, and an array of assistance systems, including Blind Spot Detection
• New engines including 1.0 115PS for first time in UK, as well as 1.6 TDI 115PS
• Luxury XCELLENCE trim level also joins the fold
• New Leon CUPRA family with “its own surprises” debuts in early 2017
• New Leon launches in UK showrooms in February 2017. Full range pricing and specification to be released closer to launch

SEAT is continuing its relentless product offensive with the unveiling of the New Leon, ahead of its launch in early 2017. The latest incarnation of the Barcelona-based brand’s best-selling model already has a multi-award-winning recipe , blending key ingredients of comfort, technology and quality, with emotional design and driving pleasure. The successful “Leon formula” Is now having a drop of extra technology and design added to the mix.

“With the New SEAT Leon, we want to continue the success story of one of SEAT’s most emblematic models, including further technologies in terms of driving assistance systems, safety systems and, of course, connectivity” added the Vice-President for R&D, Dr. Matthias Rabe.

A sharper, even more harmonious design

Without a doubt, one of the main reasons for the current Leon’s success has been its striking and high quality design, so, for 2017, some subtle changes have been added. SEAT Design Director, Alejandro Mesonero Romanos, affirmed, “The Leon is a very attractive model and it isn’t necessary to change its image, only reinforce it, refresh it. The objective is to harmonise all parts of it, in particular the front and the rear, with the sides of the car.”

For that reason, the front and rear have sharper, more assertive lines than the current model, with incisive lateral lines that are less distinct at the front and rear. The intention has been to emphasise this sharp image, achieving it with a more coherent look. It is noticeable especially in the new bumper design. Another goal was to increase the perceived size of the car, stretching the grille an extra 40mm in a richer chrome, like that more traditionally found on more expensive, larger cars. The character has also been reinforced as much inside as outside in terms of quality. It is worth noting too, that the new Leon is also even quieter than before. Inside the car, the ambient lighting LEDs’ intensity can be regulated as the driver wishes from the newly designed eight-inch screen, which eliminates the need for many of the buttons and dials on the current model.

The new, improved exterior lights are particularly noteworthy thanks to new rear lights and headlights complete with Full-LED technology. LED technology has also been used in the indicators and fog lights.

The latest in driver assistance and connectivity technology

Following the launch of the Ateca with such a vast range of driver assistance systems, it’s now the Leon’s turn to take onboard the latest technological developments. For example, Traffic Jam Assist, a function that offers great comfort in traffic with frequent and intermittent stops. Thanks to the combination of Lane Assist and ACC, in traffic jams the car manoeuvres, accelerates and brakes automatically within the limits of the system. Up to 37 mph, the system provides assistance with speed while keeping the car in the correct lane. Another added feature is the Pedestrian Protection System which recognises vehicles, as well as pedestrians, ensuring that safety is paramount both in the city and on the motorway.

Further new systems include Traffic Sign Recognition, Blind Spot Detection, and the most advanced parking assist technology with both bay and parallel parking, Emergency Assist and High Beam Assist. The camera and navigation systems have been improved too, to now recognise a higher number of traffic signs. The New SEAT Leon also includes a new centre console with an Electric Parking Brake.

The New SEAT Leon offers the very highest level of connectivity. Its myriad systems include the latest generation of Easy Connect infotainment systems, SEAT Full Link and the exclusive SEAT ConnectApp that comes with voice recognition and gesture control technology, allowing functions to be activated with just a finger swipe on the touchscreen. The Media System Plus, with its eight-inch screen, is the highlight of the former. The New SEAT Leon has, for the very first time, a Connectivity Box in the central console that enables wireless smartphone charging. Not forgetting SEAT Full Link, which opens up the world of connectivity for users of virtually all smartphones. Alongside MirrorLink, Full Link also incorporates the functions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. For areas with low satellite reception, the system also comes equipped with a GSM signal booster.

New engines and the new XCELLENCE trim

The new SEAT Leon will be offered with five trim levels at UK launch: S, SE Dynamic, SE Technology, FR and the new XCELLENCE. The new highlight is the latter with its distinctive upmarket feel, including luxurious upholstery (Alcantara and leather as an optional), extensive trim elements and multi-colour ambient interior lighting. On the outside, it gleams with a chrome design front grille, new front and rear bumpers, and also comes with rear LED indicators. On the inside, it benefits from an aluminium XCELLENCE kickplate, LED interior illumination pack and KESSY (Keyless Enter and Go).

The New SEAT Leon’s range of Euro 6 compliant engines satisfies a wide range of needs. The TDI engine range begins with a 1.6 90 PS and goes up to the 2.0 184 PS, plus, it includes a new 1.6 115 PS powertrain. In terms of petrol power, the New Leon’s options range from 110 to 180 PS, with a new 1.0 litre TSI three-cylinder 115 PS for the UK being the latest addition.

When it comes to gearboxes, the range includes five- or six-speed manual units, all well as double-clutch DSG with six- or seven-speeds.

The New SEAT Leon will be available in the three existing body types; five-door, SC (Sports Coupé) and ST (Sports Tourer).

In summary, the New Leon boasts an updated design, an even broader range of efficient engines, plus, a raft of advanced technology, to keep it at the top of the class.

A new Leon CUPRA will be available in the near future, complete with its own surprises. But that’s a story for another day.