SEAT has added a two-wheel drive DSG option to the petrol Ateca, matching a growing trend among ‘true fleet’ customers to opt for this over the equivalent diesel.

True fleet sales of the Ateca have been more petrol-weighted than expected.

For the first time, the 148bhp EcoTSI engine will be offered with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Available in SE, SE Technology and XCELLENCE trims, this adds £1,350 to the price and returns 51.4mpg with CO2 emissions of 125g/km, compared to 52.3mpg and 123g/km for the manual. There is no equivalent two-wheel drive diesel.

It matches a trend among early Ateca sales, according to head of fleet Peter McDonald: “We have seen a real penetration towards petrols,” he said. “Even in true fleet, 50% [of Atecas] are petrol – that hasn’t caught us by surprise on entry petrols, but it has on higher outputs. We thought higher output engines, on 150bhp we thought people would opt for the 2.0 [TDI] but they’ve gone for the TSI.”

The wider Ateca range arrives following SEAT’s fourth consecutive year of growth in true fleet; a 17% increase to 9,900 units, helped by investment in the brand’s SME-focused local business development programme. The crossover has built new relationships with large corporates, hasn’t cannibalised sales volume from other models, and contributed to a two-times larger order bank than the brand had at the start of 2016.

Launching its Fleet Excellence programme, for dealers with large fleet customers, next month, SEAT is entering 2017 with a renewed model range. It’s the first full year for Ateca, plus a refreshed Leon, new Ibiza and the new Arona compact SUV to follow within 12 months. McDonald said this puts the brand in a position to overtake Hyundai and Honda in true fleet over the coming years.