SEAT initially communicated that demand for this model could not be met, which is completely absurd, given the Volkswagen Group's production of 2.0 TDI engines. The reason in reality is that this version could not be homologated, possibly because it does not meet the emissions requirements of the Euro 6 regulations. This has led to an unprecedented situation in SEAT: a model that was on the price lists is withdrawn from the market, before being sold at all. You can read more details about the controversy in Javier Moltó's (km77) blog, Teletransporte.
Customers who chose an Ateca 2.0 TDI 4×2 with manual gearbox will receive, without paying more, the 4×4 version with the same engine. In addition to all-wheel drive, the customised driving modes system (SEAT Driver Profile) and the controlled descent assistant are added. Those who opted for an Ateca 2.0 TDI DSG 4×2 will get 40 hp more, and also all-wheel drive; not bad, because they save about 6,000 euros for the change.
Why was a model that had not yet been homologated announced for sale? SEAT is neither the first nor the last manufacturer to do this, sometimes press releases have provisional figures without having achieved homologation yet. I have a suspicion that without adding selective catalytic reduction (SCR) the 150hp front-wheel drive Ateca doesn't meet Euro 6 even in the lab (80 mg/km of NOx), or that it exceeds the 120 g/km of CO2 needed to be exempt from registration tax.
Although the media management of the matter is - at least - a bit questionable on the part of the brand, the attention to customers who were going to be left without a car is adequate. For the same price they get a more equipped car with all-wheel drive, which only that extra raises the price in SUVs about 3,000 euros upwards. There are drawbacks in return, such as a reduction in trunk space and a slight increase in consumption.
According to Autofácil, the affected customers are less than a thousand.
Pistonudos did not attend the presentation of the SEAT Ateca, but we have driven the Volkswagen Tiguan with that engine and all-wheel drive, which is the same but with a different dress. If the Tiguan could be homologated as a 2.0 TDI 150 4×2, using SCR/AdBlue, I can't think of a technical reason why a cousin with the same engine, same platform and very similar body design couldn't be homologated. Another option not to rule out is that someone has decided in Germany that the Ateca 2.0 TDI 4×2 will not compete with the Tiguan 2.0 TDI 4×2.
