What Altea XL has to give
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The Altea XL has been the most recent model to join the
SEAT range. One of its many firsts is that it is the first model equipped with
the totally new 160 hp 1.8 TFSI engine. Its new and enhanced 1.8 litre engine
uses turbo-charged petrol direct injection technology that has been tried and
tested on other SEAT engines.
The car’s new counter-rotating shaft arrangement results
in reduced vibrations for lower noise levels. Moreover, its more compact engine
block takes up less space in the engine bay, and the 1.8 TFSI also sets new
power and torque standards. Its turbo charger and the new engine management
provide even faster response at low revs, enabling the torque to flow more
gradually. Its maximum torque of 250 Nm is available throughout a wide
revolution range that is from 1500 to 4200 rpm.
With an all new VW wheel bearing parts,
the Altea XL reaches a top speed of 210 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h
in 8.6 seconds. The engine's flexibility gives the vehicle an 80 to 120 km/h
in-gear acceleration of 10.4 and 13.3 seconds in fifth and sixth gears.
At 10.5 liters consumption levels in city driving, the car
has been registered at 6.2 liters on out of town and only 7.7 combined for
every 100 km. As a result, the Altea XL 1.8 TFSI is viewed as an interesting
petrol engine alternative, combining excellent performance, contained fuel
consumption levels and great driving pleasure.
Along with the vehicle are offers, which include two
petrol - the already mentioned 1.8 160 hp 1.8 TFSI and an additional 102 hp 1.6
- and three diesel versions - the 105 hp 1.9 TDI, the 140 hp manual or DSG 2.0
TDI and the 170 hp 2.0 TDI.
Only available in Sport-up version, the 160 hp Altea XL
1.8 TFSI features stiffer coils than on Reference and Sty lance models, more in
tune with the car's power and performance levels, which does not put the sporty
feeling the engine provides at odds with fail-safe active safety.
From sudden load shifts to braking in curves , the front
McPherson suspension springs are perfectly angled and include rigid silent
blocks that provide great stability in any driving conditions,. The silent
blocks also reduce loads on the driveshaft during acceleration and braking.
These also minimize rocking.
The rear suspension has a multilink set-up, where three
transverse and one longitudinal arm take care of guiding the wheels with truly
exceptional dynamic qualities and smoothness. The near perfect wheel alignment
also reduces both under steering and slip angles.
Due to SEAT's DSR Agile Chassis concept, greater control
and lower response time result in greater safety. Reducing command time between
the steering wheel and the car's response guarantees absolute control. But
there is more! The Altea XL turns surprisingly fast, with hardly any body roll
despite what might be expected from a vehicle with a relatively high chassis. This
is achieved through carefully tuning the springs, dampers, specific tires with
a lower slip angle and variable assistance electro-mechanical steering.
This engine is solely available in the Sport-up trim,
which implies 25% stiffer suspension ratings, and 23mm front and 19.6 mm rear
stabilizer bars.
The Altea XL with this trim level also includes standard
ESP electronic stability control + DSR. Combined with the EBA emergency brake
assistance, the ESP electronic stability control takes advantage of the
system's capacity to increase braking power in case of emergency, and
automatically activates on the car's hazard warning lights.
The Altea XL has several features that make its interior
roominess and passenger compartment flexibility, as well as ample boot space
exceptional.
To narrow them down, the boot capacity of the new model is
532 liters, but sliding the rear seats forward 14 centimeters adds a further
100 liters. The total figure of 635 liters represents a larger boot capacity
than any of the Altea XL's competitors. Added to this, if the rear seats are
completely folded, the total volume increases to 1,604 liters.
The interior features prominent accessories. Among others
are sports seats with specific Sport-up upholstery, dual zone climate control,
CD MP3 radio with Aux-in, eight speakers and steering wheel mounted controls,
rain sensing wipers, tire pressure and lights-on sensors, cruise control, board
computer, and flexible rear parcel tray.
The car is also exceptionally roomy in the back because
the rear seat also slides back 2 centimeters for added legroom. Meanwhile the
boot capacity remains at 517 liters. This arrangement makes it possible to
slide the rear seats a total of 16 centimeters on the Altea XL.
However, the Altea XL 1.8 TFSI will only be sold in its
Sport-up version, which is the sportiest of the entire range. This is to assure
the vehicle’s performance level.
The exterior shows 17 inch Zenith rims shod with 225/45
tires, Elox colored roof racks, fog lamps and body colored electric heated door
mirrors with parking positioning.
Safety equipment in the car includes six standard airbags,
ESP stability control with Driver Steering Recommendation and EBA emergency
braking assistance, ABS + TCS and Isofix anchoring points for child seats.
Optionally available is a dock that enables Tom Tom 710
navigator connectivity. The stand, which is located on the left of the
instrument panel and powered directly by the car, firmly holds the portable
navigator and takes advantage of the car's audio set-up to transmit voice
instructions. The Tom Tom 710 navigator database has been personalized with the
entire European SEAT dealership network. It is available through the SEAT
accessories catalogue.
The model further features a complete list of optional
elements, which includes a 6.5 inch color or black and white screen dynamic
navigator, Bluetooth telephone installation, sweeping dual xenon headlamps +
AFS, rear side airbags and i-Pod or USB connection for MP3 devices or Pen drive
memory sticks.
About the Author
Benjamin Hudson works as a supervisor at one of the top engineering firms in the business district of Louisiana. He is also a freelance journalist and has passion for anything automotive.
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