As with Solo Driving, Alhambra Handled Its Towing Task Well

TEST : SEAT ALHAMBRA 2.0 SE LUX TDI CR DSG hen the marriage of convenience took place SEAT-ING between Ford and Volkswagen in 1991, it caused something Wof a stir. After all, here were two of the world’s largest and fiercely-competitive motor manufacturers jumping into bed PLAN together. Despite this, the resultant Galaxy Often overshadowed by its wicked and Sharan MPVs, launched lavishly at MPV stepsisters, can Seat’s ‘Cinderella’ an exclusive Scottish castle and in Switzerland respectively four years later, really tow to the ball? Clive White’s were greeted with much acclaim. carriage awaits But what of Alhambra – the Seat- badged version of this model? Its launch in 1996 meant it missed a bells and whistles debut. As the last of the trio, it has largely existed in the shadow of its stepsisters, and still does to some Switchgear is well presented extent, despite the principal partners in this alliance having divorced back in 2005. Yet, even with Galaxy gone, Alhambra is still perceived to play second fiddle to Sharan. As with solo driving, Alhambra That’s hardly very fair, though, as this latest Alhambra has quickly accumulated 10 prestigious awards in its own right, the handled its towing task well most recent being another accolade from “ Diesel Car magazine (it claimed the MPV I was a little disappointed when the DRIVING DYNAMICS” gong for the second consecutive year). So electric seat adjuster hit its stop before my While full-size MPVs can sometimes feel let’s see if we can set Alhambra’s record right ankle had uncurled sufficiently over bulky and ponderous on the road, straight at last. the throttle pedal, and it seemed a touch Alhambra was mainly a joy to drive. Its perverse in a vehicle of this size to need to weight and height were noticeable when CABIN COMFORT resort to raising the seat to gain a touch changing direction, but the transfer of mass It’s no surprise to discover that more legroom. But it did the trick and a occurs progressively and the firm Alhambra’s fascia and interior design bears mostly comfortable driving position was suspension resists cornering roll well. This an uncanny resemblance to VW’s Sharan enjoyed for the rest of the test period. all happens by way of nicely-weighted, (Seat is, after all, part of the Volkswagen Of course, the whole point of a vehicle accurate steering. The flipside to this group). There’s the quality look and feel such as this is the carriage of people and to comparatively good handling was a jittery expected from such origins, exemplified be versatile. In these tasks, the Alhambra ride over rough surfaces, though it by the neatly laid out switchgear and clear, excels with far more seating/ loading improved considerably on better roads and simple analogue speedo and tachometer, combinations than there’s space here to when the vehicle was more heavily laden. each with an inset supplementary dial for describe. All the easily-foldable five coolant temperature and fuel-tank rear seats are comfortable and contents. Between the gauges is the useful supportive, and the test car was digital driver-information display. provided with the £390 integrated The fascia’s central bulge presents the double child-seat option. Easy access controls and colour, multi-function is possible via rear sliding side doors, infotainment screen within easy reach of in this model electrically and the driver and front passenger. But maybe remotely operated, as is the tailgate. this is where neatness foils ergonomics, for As the SE Lux tag implies, there With thanks to while the screen and its surrounding keys is very little left wanting in the way Chichester and knobs are intuitive, the clusters of of equipment, the list too long to Caravans, Redhill for the loan of buttons in the 3-zone climate-control panel detail. Despite this spec, you can Towcar Test and the row of switches beneath took a still add options such as heated caravans. Call little getting used to. But the SE Lux windscreen (£445), Park Assist 01737 768266 or version’s leather and touchy-feely plastics (£295) and Bi-xenon headlights A large but stable outfit see chichester- make the Alhambra a tactile and rather with AFS, headlight washers and caravans.co.uk sensuous place to be. daytime running lights (£895). 68 www.caravanclub.co.uk July 2012 The Caravan Club Magazine 69 TEST : SEAT ALHAMBRA 2.0 SE LUX TDI CR DSG VW’s 168bhp (170PS) turbodiesel has plenty of power and torque for its task and, once up to running temperature, remains unobtrusive in most circumstances, though it can become rather vocally gruff when revved hard. It doesn’t have to be very often, though, because the six-speed Dual Shift Gearbox keeps engine speeds relatively low in normal driving mode. When the driving was more relaxed, DSG slipped up and down its gears generally smoothly, but it was when it had to think quickly that it sometimes produced a jolty shift, or very occasionally seemed unsure whether it should perform the shift at all. For the most part, however, it proved to be a very competent companion for the engine. PULLING PERFORMANCE First thing to remark on is that very handy retractable towbar. While £645 is hardly trivial money for a towbar and electrics, the fact that it’s ready for use at the touch of a button makes it worthwhile. The 13-pin electrics socket is housed within the towbar’s neck, which not only makes it easily accessible for connecting the caravan’s plug but also provides a very neat installation. Towing mirrors proved a little more challenging, as the rounded top edges of the While the ride on motorways and better- door mirror cowlings and close-fitting maintained trunk roads was smooth and mirror glasses foiled even their versatile, comfortable, some neglected urban and universally-jointed clamps. Luckily, the country roads’ surfaces (or lack of) could TECHNICAL cowlings’ relatively flat bottom edges jolt through the cabin. No fault of the Seat, RATINGS afforded the towing mirrors alternative which felt sturdy, solid and rattle-free. CABIN COMFORT secure anchorage. As with solo driving, DRIVING DYNAMICS Alhambra handled its PULLING PERFORMANCE towing task well, and VERDICT although always aware of 01 2345678910 its bulk the outfit was easy to place and guide along RRP £32,590 OTR twisty rural roads. The Engine 1,968cc, in-line 4-cyl, common-rail torquey engine and DSG turbodiesel. Transverse gearbox worked well Power 168bhp (125kW) @ 4,200rpm together to keep up the Torque 258lb ft (350Nm) @ 1,750rpm momentum, though just CO2 154g/km occasionally the gearbox Transmission Six-speed DSG auto, FWD seemed a little Fuel/tank/econ Diesel/15.4gal (70 litre)/42.4mpg indecisive. ■ solo/27.2mpg towing 1,570kg Plenty of loading Kerbweight 1,850kg (85% = 1,572kg) and seating options Gross vehicle weight 2,540kg Gross train weight 4,790kg As you might imagine, Alhambra and a Noseweight limit 100kg suitable caravan form quite a large, heavy VERDICT Towing equipment Retractable ball towbar with integral outfit, so reaching 50mph in 11.6 seconds It’s not at all difficult to see why 13-pin electrics socket £645 and 60mph in 15sec is pretty good going. Alhambra has won its accolades. Spare wheel Equipped with self-sealing tyres Once on the move, the interval between It offers just about everything you Insurance Group 21E 30-50mph can be as brief as 7sec. Stability could want from an MPV, along with Alhambra £23,535 (S TSI petrol) to out on the open road was commendable, excellent value. The glass slipper fits, model-range £32,590 (SE Lux TDI CR DSG) with hardly a twitch or a sway from after all. crosswinds or passing vehicles. Club insurance: 0800 028 4809 • Info: seat.co.uk 70 www.caravanclub.co.uk.

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