“The new SEAT Ateca does not only keep his strength, like an outstanding robustness – proven in durability tests, but it also brings a new dimension to safety and convenience. This is achieved with a host of integrated systems that makes the compact SUV among the safest and most advanced in the market,” said Axel Andorff, Executive Vice-president for Research and Development at SEAT. “From the ability to offer supervised automated driving in certain scenarios to aiding the driver when leaving a parking space, the new SEAT Ateca gives both drivers and pedestrians increased peace of mind.”

The new SEAT Ateca is arguably one of the safest vehicles in its segment, offering a range of new advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) that few competitors do. It’s been developed to see more of its surroundings, able to react to obstacles on the road, and because of these technologies the SEAT Ateca can sense its environment, offering optimised protection no matter what scenario occurs.

Systems including Pre-Crash Assist, Predictive Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Travel Assist, Emergency Assist and Side and Exit Assist, work together to protect the vehicle and its occupants.

Pre-Crash Assist is a system designed to prepare the vehicle and occupants should the worst happen and there’s a potential collision. The onboard systems work together; front seatbelts are pretensioned, windows and sunroofs are closed and warning lights are activated in order to mitigate the consequences of an accident.

Predictive Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) can position the compact SUV using GPS data delivered from the navigation system, allowing it to correct its speed depending on the road layout ahead – bends, roundabouts, junctions, speed limits and built-up areas. And using input from the front mounted camera and traffic sign recognition, it can adjust vehicle speed when limits change.

The semi-automatic driving functionality continues with the introduction of the Travel Assist technology. By simply pressing one button on the steering wheel, the advanced system uses information from the ACC and Lane Assist to actively keep the vehicle in the centre of the lane and adjust speed to the flow of the traffic – providing assisted driving at speeds of up to 210km/h.

To maintain safety and to meet legal requirements the driver must maintain constant monitoring of the system and their surroundings, keeping at least one hand on the steering wheel. If the vehicle detects that the driver has left the steering for more than 15 seconds, they will receive audible and visual warnings, and a braking jolt can be given. If the driver continues to fail to respond the Emergency Assist system can bring the Ateca to a complete stop.

An added dimension to the new SEAT Ateca is the Exit Assist. When parking out, the vehicle will give an audible and visual warning if traffic is coming – this can be other vehicles if on the road side, or cyclists or pedestrians if on the kerb side – and if necessary initiating automatic braking.

The SEAT Ateca will also feature Side Assist which can detect vehicles up to 70m, with indications through a led in the mirror.

For those people who like to tow, the new Ateca also offers Trailer Assist technology as well. The systen supports the driver when reversing or parking with a trailer, the reversing camera image is used to help guide the vehicle and trailer to the exact position needed.

It’s simple to use; the driver only needs to select reverse gear, press the parking aid button and use the mirror adjustment switch to set the direction they wish the trailer to be steered, then simply take control of acceleration, braking and gear changes in manual vehicles, and the system will do the rest.

But the refreshed SEAT Ateca’s onboard systems aren’t purely about safety, technologies also help make the compact SUV more convenient, comfortable and ride better. Thanks to the selectable driver profiles – Eco, Normal, Sport and Individual on front-wheel variants, and the additional extra modes - Offroad and Snow - for 4Drive versions – the vehicle’s ride and handling can change depending on the conditions and the driver’s requirements, making the vehicle more comfortable.