SEAT Alhambra

SEAT Alhambra
Manufacturer	SEAT
Parent company	Volkswagen Group
Production	1996—present
Class	large MPV
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Related	Ford Galaxy VW Sharan

The SEAT Alhambra is a large MPV (MPV/Van=Furgoneta, in Spanish) by the Volkswagen Group and sold under the SEAT brand. It has been on sale since 1996 and, apart from a major restyling in 2000, it is very similar to the original model. An all-new replacement is expected in the next years, to line up next to the Altea and SEAT Altea XL as the biggest car in SEATs range. The Alhambra was created under a technology sharing agreement between Ford and the Volkswagen Group, after the two companies found they were losing market share from the first generation of MPVs such as the Renault Espace and Mitsubishi Space Wagon. It shares most of its components and design with the Ford Galaxy and VW Sharan. This has led to the three vehicles being referred to collectively as the "Sharalaxy" or even "Shalambraxy". All three models were built on the same production line in Palmela, Portugal. Ford have now concluded their collaboration as their new Ford Galaxy and S-Max (a seven seater based on what will become the new Mondeo) are now made elsewhere. It seats up to seven people — the 5 rear seats being all moveable or even removed leaving a flat-load floor. The Alhambra tends to have more options fitted for the same cost as the other two.

External links

• Official SEAT Website
• SEAT Forum