It will be available in five- and seven-seat configurations
SEAT has announced it would build a third SUV following the Ateca and the upcoming Arona.
Arriving in dealerships in 2018 the as-yet-unnamed model will be positioned "one segment above" the Ateca in the automaker's lineup, and will also become SEAT's flagship model.
The new SUV will offer both five- and seven-seat versions and will be built at the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg, Germany since it will use the midsize MQB A2 platform that is already installed there.
"This car will bring new customers to us, will boost brand image and will have a very big effect on our ability to generate margins. It will be designed in Barcelona and made in Germany. Producing the new SUV in Wolfsburg, in the heart of the Group, will reinforce the ties between SEAT and Volkswagen."
Luca de Meo, SEAT President
Judging from the design sketches released by SEAT, the flagship SUV will use the same design language as the Ateca, but will feature a more aggressive front end with a creased bonnet and sharp headlight signature.
Before bringing its flagship SUV to market, SEAT will launch the Arona in the second half of this year. The subcompact crossover will be built in Martorell, Spain, on the same platform as the new Ibiza.
The announcement about the new flagship SUV was made during the presentation of SEAT's annual results. The company posted its best-ever result, with an operating profit of €143 million ($154 million) in 2016.