Next-Gen Seat Alhambra Will Either Go Down The Crossover Lane Or Die

Produced alongside the Volkswagen Sharan ever since it was launched six years ago, the Seat Alhambra faces the axe in its current form.

At least that's what the Spanish brand's design chief, Alejandro Mesonero, told AutoExpress: "We do not want to do that body style anymore. We will replace it, but not with the one-box design we have now. Seat will launch a seven-seater, but that is not desirable now… everyone is buying SUVs right now."

In plain English, what Seat's boss is trying to say is that, if there's a next generation Alhambra (regardless if it retains its current name), it will be transformed into a crossover with a seven seat layout.

Even if British publication doesn’t say it, it will share many nuts and bolts with the Skoda Kodiaq, slotting above the Ateca. The 20V20 Concept (pictured) shown last year in Geneva along with the company's first-ever SUV could provide styling inspiration.

If Seat goes ahead and retires the Alhambra minivan in favor of a new 7-seater crossover, Volkswagen could follow the same path with the Sharan, as it's unlikely that the Germans will develop a new generation without additional support from another carmaker to share some of the production costs.