After launching
their first-ever SUV three years ago, the Ateca, Seat is now ready to take
another step into the future with several electrified vehicles. Set to arrive
in the market before the beginning of 2021, the six new electric and plug-in
hybrid models announced by the Spanish automaker will include cars from
different classes. One of them will be the production version of the the
El-Born concept, shown at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, which will join the
zero-emission version of the Mii city car.
The new generation
Leon, which is currently in its late stages of development, will gain a new
plug-in hybrid version, as well as the Tarraco SUV. The plug-in hybrid version
of the mid-size SUV will be launched alongside the petrol- and diesel-powered
models.
The Cupra brand
will play a big role in Seat’s electrification strategy. Thus, the next Cupra
Leon and Cupra Formentor will feature plug-in hybrid variants as well. The
latter will be produced at the company’s Martorell facility in Spain.
Seat’s ambitions go
beyond the upcoming EV and PHEV models, as they will develop a new vehicle
platform together with the Volkswagen brand. The new architecture will be a
smaller variant of the MEB (Modular Electric Drive Toolkit) that underpins the
VW ID range, and will be suitable for compact cars of around 4 meters long. By comparison, the outgoing Ibiza is 4,059 mm long.
In other words,
Seat is planning to rival the likes of the Nissan Leaf, but at a much more
affordable cost. The goal is to launch an EV that starts from under € 20,000
(US$ 22,600). The Spanish automaker will also tap deeper into
electromobility, and the Minimo Concept, as well as the eXS kickscooter, will
help them do so.
