Promoted: SEAT Ateca - designed to make the ordinary extraordinary

For most car buyers, an SUV is all about making their life easier through useful, practical design. The new SEAT Ateca has been designed to meet those requirements – but the firm believe it's first SUV will stand out thanks to an infusion of design flair from Barcelona.

"We really looked at what people wanted from an SUV," says Alejandro Mesenero-Romanos, SEAT's head of design. "Then we mixed it up with the intuition of designers. We want to make cars that are beautiful to look at, and also very functional."

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Alejandro Mesenero-Romanos says that making a practical car that also stirs the emotion builds on the SEAT brand’s traditions. He says: "Linking functionality and design is very much a part of SEAT. The Ateca is a lifestyle car. It has to be easy to live with. It’s designed for people who need to carry anything from a bicycle to a washing machine."

For those with packed lives, the Ateca’s boot can hold up to 510 litres, and can be accessed by an automatic tailgate with a Virtual Pedal function. There’s also a spacious interior, with the dashboard designed for easy driver access.

A key part of the dashboard is the Media System Plus touchscreen, which controls the infotainment and sat nav functions. That includes the SEAT Full Link system, which is compatible with smartphones, including both Android and Apple devices. There is also the option of a wireless charging system, which helpfully doubles as a mobile phone signal booster by using the car’s antenna.

The Ateca also features a range of driver assistance systems. "There is lots of state-of-the-art technology available in the VW Group, and nearly all of this is integrated into the Ateca," says Sven Schawe, SEAT's Director of Whole Vehicle Development, Chassis Development and Innovation. "Every driving assistance system that it makes sense to have in a car is available in the Ateca."

Systems available include traffic alerts, a lane departure warning system, brake assist and blind spot detection. The Top View Camera uses the four parking cameras built into each side of the car to offer an overhead 360-degree view – and can also create a 3D image. There's also a Park Assist function, which allows the car to park itself.

The front-end of the car follows the design direction SEAT started with the most recent Leon, and the look is built on with optional full LED headlights for improved vision. The headlights also double as distinctive turning indicator lights. Sven Schawe says: "When you drive this car everyone will recognise this is an Ateca when you indicate."

The initial range of engines features 1.0 and 1.4-litre TSI petrol, and 1.6 and 2.0-litre TDI units. All four engines are available on front-wheel drive models, while the 1.4-litre petrol and 2.0-litre diesel models are also available in all-wheel-drive. There is a choice of manual and DSG gearboxes, and three trim levels will be available at launch.

The SEAT Drive Profile system features a range of settings to adjust the performance for various conditions, and also includes a customised preference mode.

Sven Schawe believes that the driving performance of the car will help it stand out among SUVs, saying: "People need to drive this car to experience it. It has perfect driving behaviour."

SEAT's bosses hope mixing design and driving performance with the practicality required from an SUV will make the new Ateca an attractive proposition.

Sven Schawe says: "We wanted to develop a car without compromises. We think this car is in the optimum position. In all aspects we have managed to get the car in the perfect spot."