The Tarraco, the latest addition to Seat’s impressive SUV range, is now available in Ireland. The “big brother” to the highly popular Ateca and Arona, the Tarraco combines the design, functionality, sportiness, comfort, and technological attributes of the Seat range in a form that suits a wide variety of lifestyles. It blends the functionality of a five- or seven-Seater with superior aesthetics to offer a balance between practicality and elegance.
Function
When it comes to function and form the Tarraco surpasses all of the challenges usually posed by large SUVs. Despite being more than 4.7 metres long, 1.83 metres wide, and 1.65 metres in height, the overall design conveys a sense of lightness, agility and a robust practicality, while still delivering huge interior space.
The subtle shapes and lines employed in the bonnet make the Tarraco appear smaller and less intimidating when viewed from behind the driver’s seat.
Lighting also plays a key role in the appearance of the vehicle. LED technology is used throughout the exterior and interior as standard on both the Xcellence and SE models. This extenuates the SUV’s attractive design, while at the same time, customers benefit from cleaner, crisper lighting.
The vehicle's interior design offers a level of quality normally associated with the premium sector
Naturally, an SUV also has to be a practical, functional vehicle. With that in mind the design emphasis, at the rear of the Tarraco, is on creating a low-loading area, with a lighting treatment which emphasises the width and practicality of the vehicle. Form and function are mixed in the dynamic rear LED indicators.
If your hands are full, you can open the boot with a wiggle of your foot thanks to Seat’s virtual pedal technology.
The vehicle’s interior design offers a level of quality normally associated with the premium sector, mixing different materials to evoke a sense of comfort no matter the chosen trim level or selected specification. Indeed, the overall feeling for driver and passengers alike is of being cocooned, irrespective of whether the 7-Seater or 5-Seater option is chosen.
Infotainment
No modern vehicle is complete without an advanced “infotainment” system. Although these can often be intrusive, cluttering the dash and taking up valuable space, Seat has overcome this issue through the clever design and positioning of the infotainment system, as well as of the digital cockpit.
The central eight-inch infotainment display floats , rather than being integrated into the dashboard, which minimises intrusion into the cabin and places it closer to the driver’s eye line – a more ergonomic and prominent position – making reading information from it, or the cluster, simpler and safer.
This display integrates Seat’s Full Link technology to bring the most important information into the SUV and place it at the occupants’ finger tips. The versatile and customisable digital cockpit provides clear information to the driver and helps them keep their eyes on the road. The 10.25 inch digital display is actually an interactive, customisable digital instrumentation cluster that allows drivers to view everything from standard information such as speed and distance travelled to full-colour maps and navigation information.
Technology is expertly deployed by the advanced safety features boasted by the Tarraco
Controlling the information displayed couldn’t be simpler. All the driver has to do is press a button on the steering wheel to scroll through the different display options.
Technology
Technophiles will enjoy the connectivity box that allows users to connect and charge their smartphones wirelessly and avail of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Moreover, the Tarraco is the first Seat vehicle to feature gesture control functionality, allowing the driver to interact with the display without touching it, just a wave of the hand will do.
Technology is expertly deployed by the advanced safety features boasted by the Tarraco, which has received the top 5 Star rating from safety testing agency Euro Ncap. An array of sensors, including a full 360 degree camera, allow the vehicle to see the road ahead in vivid detail and adapt to any potential incident. Front assist with bicycle detection, lane assist, and emergency call are all standard throughout the range, while adaptive cruise control comes as standard for the Xcellence model.
Safety
“Safety is always at the forefront of the design and engineering process of our vehicles,” says brand director, Niall Phillips. “The excellent safety rating we’ve received on the Euro NCAPs for our first seven-Seater SUV the Seat Tarraco is a testament to the high priority we place on the safety of our customers. We are delighted to receive recognition of this on a European level.”
Power
Volkswagen Group’s MQB-A long wheelbase architecture combined with the Tarraco’s dynamic chassis control setup ensure excellent handling and a comfortable ride, regardless of the road type encountered. The driver can select which setting they prefer – normal, eco or sport – but the system can also adapt automatically, modifying the ride depending on the road surface and driving style.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome the Tarraco to Ireland in 2019,” says Phillips. “There has never been a greater demand in the Irish market for SUV vehicles and Seat has been satisfying this demand over the past number of years through its existing SUV range, comprised of the Seat Ateca and Arona, models which have enjoyed remarkable success.
“The introduction of the Tarraco now allows Seat to target a different customer segment again and we are extremely confident that it will resonate with Irish motorists,” Phillips concludes. “Its introduction is another key milestone in the overall evolution of Seat. It’s great to be able to continue to offer motorists an even greater variety of high quality vehicles.”