Face it. To be Number One in the world demands a distinctive level of marque arrogance. Ironically, had BLMC, the British state-owned conglomerate that drew together Austin, Morris, Wolseley, Riley, Van den Plas and MG in the 1960s, virtually inventing the ‘badge-engineered’ terminology on the way, it would have been a British car company at the top. VW has turned its version into a modern art form.
The latest vehicle designed and developed at the facilities of Seat in Martorell (Barcelona) but produced in Wolfsburg (Germany), marks the third instalment in the company’s SUV product offensive and shows a glimpse of the future design language of forthcoming Seat models. Tarraco is the new flagship for the brand and should draw new customers, boost the brand image and have an important effect on profits, thanks to fatter margins.
Tarraco is the bigger brother to both Ateca and Arona and blends tried and tested technology, responsive and agile handling, practicality and functionality with an elegant, if familiar design stance. It is designed for drivers desiring the usefulness of a five, or seven-seater cabin and the practicality of a higher driving position. It is an important car for Seat, which delivered 383,900 vehicles worldwide, between January and August this year, an increase of 21.9% over the same period in 2017.
Needless to say, Tarraco looks like Skoda’s Kodiaq and VeeDub’s Tiguan Allspace, although Audi still manages to differentiate its Q5 from the other three all-but-identical models. It uses the same MQB-A long-wheelbase architecture that underpins each large SUV in the VW Group. As with the others, the Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) setup gives a perfect balance between a sporty feeling, when at the wheel, and a more comfortable ride, when longer trips are required, on different types of roads. Although selectable, the system can also adapt automatically, modifying the ride standards dependent on the road surface and driving style.
All of Tarraco’s engines benefit from direct-injection, turbocharging and ‘start:stop’ technology and offer power outputs between 147bhp and 187bhp. Two petrols are available: the popular four-cylinder 1.5-litre TSI unit linked to a six-speed manual transmission, powering the front wheels, and a 2.0-litre offering mated to a seven-speed DSG twin-clutch, automated-manual gearbox and 4Drive total traction system.
Two diesel options complete the initial line-up, both 2.0-litre TDIs, with power outputs of 147bhp and 187bhp respectively. The less potent version can be connected to either a front-wheel drive, six-speed manual, or seven-speed DSG with 4Drive system. The higher-powered variant is available solely in 4Drive/seven-speed DSG form. Coming soon, the Tarraco will also benefit from hybrid and EV powertrains.
Of course, Tarraco includes the full range of driver assistance and safety systems used by the rest of VW Group, while connectivity is at the Group’s already acknowledged high-levels. Although the Tarraco is 4,735mm in length and 1,658mm tall, with a huge interior space and an imposing exterior, the overall design implies both lightness and agility, as well as robustness.
The subtle changes at the front of Tarraco provide a hint to Seat’s new design language, with a more prominent grille and sharper, full LED headlights, which retain the company’s triangular signature. Two trim levels, SE and Xcellence, are available from the outset. Prices will be announced in the new year. Tarraco will be available in eight different colours: Dark Camouflage, Oryx White, Reflex Silver, Atlantic Blue, Indium Grey, Titanium Beige, Deep Black and Urano Grey.
Internally, Seat’s design team has worked hard to create a cocooning environment, using a horizontal line that spans the dashboard but also emphasises the width of the car, increasing the impression of cabin space but inspiring confidence, safety and a level of tactile quality normally found in the higher-price sector. It benefits from Seat’s 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit that streamlines information to the driver, allied to an 8.0-inch, ‘floating’ touch-screen, from which occupants can access Seat’s suite of connectivity options. Tarraco is the first Seat model to feature gesture control functions (when equipped with the 8.0-inch Navigation Plus system).
