Seat officially revealed the el-Born, an MEB-based
electric car that’s set to hit the market by 2020. The el-Born is the second EV
based on VW’s MEB platform, following the VW ID Hatch. Compared to its German
cousin, the el-Born is designed to look sportier and more emotional, honoring
Seat’s philosophy.
The automaker claims that the production version
will be able to deliver up to 420 km of driving range on the WLTP
cycle from its 62kWh battery pack, as well as a 0-100 km/h in 7.5
seconds when combined with the range-topping 201 hp electric motor. The battery-electric hatch is
also compatible with up to 100kW DC fast-charging, so it’ll be able to charge
its battery from 0 to 80 percent in as little as 47 minutes.
The concept is riding on 20-inch turbine-design
wheels that improve its aerodynamic efficiency, which plays a huge role for an
electric vehicle. Seat says they incorporated an “air curtain” into the
el-Born’s design in order to find the balance between performance and aesthetic
appeal.
Other features include an advanced thermal
management system, which uses a special heat pump that can reduce the
electrical heating consumption to save up to 60 km of driving range.
This will prove useful to users in countries with colder climates.
As with the VW ID Hatch, the el-Born was able to
maximize interior space thanks to the great packaging of the MEB platform. The
dashboard’s design is less futuristic than you might expect and more
production-ready, featuring a 10-inch infotainment system with plenty of
connected features.
Seat’s first all-electric model will also feature
Level 2 semi-autonomous driving, Intelligent Park Assist and a wide range of
driver assistance systems.
