The SEAT Altea is a compact MPV

Compact MPV

A compact MPV is a car classification used in Europe to describe multi-purpose vehicle versions of small family cars , fitting between the mini MPV and large MPV sub-segments...

 produced by Spanish automaker SEAT, S.A.

SEAT

SEAT, S.A. is a Spanish automobile manufacturer founded on May 9, 1950 by the Instituto Nacional de Industria , a state-owned industrial holding company....

 and named after Altea

Altea

-External links:*, Portal de Altea*, Good Information-Guide of Altea - in German and English**, Photo gallery of Altea*, spherical Panorama of Altea...

, Spain

Spain

Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...

. The vehicle was designed by the Italian Walter de'Silva

Walter de'Silva

Walter Maria de'Silva is an Italian car designer who is currently Head of Volkswagen Group Design, and is currently responsible for oversight on the design of all Volkswagen Group passenger car brands including Audi, Volkswagen, SEAT, Škoda as well as Bentley, Lamborghini and Bugatti...

 and launched in 2004 as the first example of SEAT's new corporate look. The current Toledo

SEAT Toledo

The second generation Toledo was introduced in 1998 and made its debut at the 1998 Paris Motor Show as a four-door notchback sedan. It was more rounded than the previous first generation shape and had a much more fluid design, although both were products of Giorgetto Giugiaro's Italdesign studio...

 is identical, except for the addition of a larger boot.

Another extended version, the Altea XL

SEAT Altea XL/Freetrack

The SEAT Altea XL is an longer variant of the normal SEAT Altea, a five-door five-seat compact multi-purpose vehicle , with increased luggage capacity compared to the standard Altea....

 is also available (having been first presented at the 2006 Paris Motor Show

Mondial de l'Automobile 2006

The 2006 Paris Motor Show took place from September 30 to October 15, 2006, in Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles.- Introductions :* Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione* Audi A3 1.8 TFSI* Audi A4 2.8 FSI* Audi R8...

). In 2007 the Altea Freetrack

SEAT Altea XL/Freetrack

The SEAT Altea XL is an longer variant of the normal SEAT Altea, a five-door five-seat compact multi-purpose vehicle , with increased luggage capacity compared to the standard Altea....

 with 4WD and more high suspension is released.

The Altea was released a few years after many of its competitors arriving on the scene, but it was expected to sell well.