The initiative was unusual. With a third SUV planned, the Spanish SEAT decided to ask the public and potential customer of the model, through an online voting system entitled #SEATseekingName , what to name the new model.
After a first batch elaborated with the contribution of the public and which resulted in a total of 10 340 Spanish place-names (the only criterion imposed, by the way, by the Barcelona brand), the proposed names were then submitted to a rigorous analysis process based on linguistic and legal criteria, resulting in nine semi-finalists. Once debated also in the main markets where SEAT sells its models, they ended up being reduced to just four: Alborán, Aranda, Ávila and Tarraco.
Once the finalists were found, SEAT challenged the brand's fans once again to vote for the name of their choice. With the highest percentage of votes out of the 146 124 people who participated in the vote — 53.52% of the choices, that is, 51 903 votes — going to Tarraco.
Tarraco, the capital of Hispanic women in the Roman Empire
In case you find the word strange, we will explain that it is the name by which it was known, in Antiquity, the Spanish city of Tarragona, built on the Mediterranean, is the oldest Roman settlement in the Iberian Peninsula. It was also the capital of Hispania during the Roman Empire.Futuro SUV is the 14th model named after a Spanish location
As for Tarraco, it is the first name of SEAT chosen by popular vote, but also the 14th Spanish toponym, used in a model of the brand. A tradition, by the way, started in 1982, with Ronda. To date, 12 more models have followed: Ibiza, Malaga, Marbella, Toledo, Inca, Alhambra, Cordoba, Arosa, Leon, Altea, in addition to the two most recent, Ateca and Arona.
About the SUV itself, it is known that it is a large model, capable of carrying up to 7 occupants. The market launch is scheduled for the end of this year, and it is expected that the new model can already be unveiled at the next Geneva Motor Show, in March.