| SEAT Alhambra | |
|---|---|
_%25E2%2580%2593_f_20052021.jpg) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | SEAT |
| Also called | Volkswagen Sharan Ford Galaxy (1996–2006) |
| Production | 1996–2020 |
| Assembly | Portugal:Palmela (Autoeuropa) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Large MPV (M) |
| Body style | 5-doorMPV |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive/four-wheel-drive |
TheSEAT Alhambra is a seven-seaterminivan that was built from 1996 to 2020. It was manufactured under theSEAT brand from June 1996 onwards at theVolkswagen Group'sAutoEuropa plant inPalmela, Portugal. It shares the sameplatform with theVolkswagen Sharan, and the first generation was also related to theFord Galaxy. The vehicle is named after theAlhambra ofGranada, a famous monument in Spain. It is considered in the motor industry to be alarge multi-purpose vehicle (MPV).
| SEAT Alhambra Mk1 (7M) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Volkswagen Sharan Ford Galaxy (before 2006) |
| Production | 1996–2010 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Petrol engines: 1.8 LI420VTurbo 2.0 L I4 2.8 LVR624v Diesel engines: 1.9 LI4TDI 2.0 L I4 TDI |
| Transmission | 6-speedmanual 5-speedautomatic 5-speedTiptronicautomatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,835 mm (111.6 in) |
| Length | 4,634 mm (182.4 in) |
| Width | 1,810 mm (71.3 in) |
| Height | 1,762 mm (69.4 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,599–1,709 kg (3,525–3,768 lb) |
A prototype of the first generation SEAT Alhambra was presented at the 1995Geneva 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 theVW Sharan Mk1 andFord 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 andFord technology sharing agreement. When Volkswagen and Ford lost market share to other manufacture's MPVs, including theToyota Previa andMitsubishi Space Wagon, they changed the design of their versions.
The Alhambra, Sharan, and Galaxy were built on the same production line at the joint ventureAutoEuropa plant inPalmela,Portugal, and were essentially the same but with different engine options and interiors. Ford has now withdrawn from the collaboration, and theGalaxy Mk III and theS-Max (a seven-seater based on theMondeo Mk IV platform) are built in Genk, Belgium, alongside theMondeo. The AutoEuropa plant did produce theVW 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 Mk2 (7N) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Volkswagen Sharan |
| Production | 2010–2020 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Platform | Volkswagen Group A6 (PQ46) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Petrol 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 | |
| Length | 4,850 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 and 9 cm wider than the first generation. Like the 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).[citation needed]
In March 2020 SEAT announced production of the Alhambra would end that month.[7][8]
_%25E2%2580%2593_h_20052021.jpg)
In 2010, the safety of the second generation SEAT Alhambra was assessed under theEuro NCAP scheme; it achieved a5-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 |
The Alhambra in its standard European market configuration received 4 stars fromEuro NCAP in 2019.[10]
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 |
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