SEAT celebrates its 69 years of history and is participating this year in the 100th edition of the Automobile Barcelona, where it has rolled out its vision of electric mobility with its two new concept cars – the first ever fully electric SEAT el-Born and the SEAT Minimo, a forward-looking approach that aims to become the companion of cities and revolutionise urban mobility.
Moreover, CUPRA is also displaying the new CUPRA Formentor, the brand’s own first model, as well as the e-Racer, the first ever fully electric touring racecar.
SEAT CEO Luca de Meo pointed out that “the auto industry is undergoing a process of transformation and is facing the biggest challenge in its over 100 years of history. We are at our best moment and with these launches can look to the future with confidence and lead the transformation facing the sector.”
SEAT is displaying its range at the motor show alongside all the Volkswagen Group brands in the same space in order to demonstrate the strength of the consortium and its vision of future mobility. During the Group Night held on Wednesday, for the first time in the history of the motor show three gobal CEOs from the Volkswagen Group came together to talk about the future of mobility – Oliver Blume, Porsche CEO and global head of Production for the Volkswagen Group; Lamborghini CEO Stefano Domenicali and Luca de Meo, SEAT CEO and highest representative of the companies of the Group in Spain.
During the two weeks of the motor show event, SEAT is also bringing the latest developments in its range to the general public so they can test drive the new Tarraco, the Arona TGI, the Ibiza, the recently presented CUPRA Ateca and even its first solution for urban micromobility, the SEAT eXS KickScooter powered by Segway.
Until the beginning of 2021, SEAT will introduce six electric and plug-in hybrid models. The electric version of the Mii and el-Born will be the brand’s first two fully electric models, while the new generation Leon and the Tarraco will feature a plug-in hybrid version. Furthermore, the CUPRA Leon and the CUPRA Formentor will also have a plug-in hybrid variant.
SEAT el-Born, the first step in SEAT’s electric offensive
The el-Born concept car is the first SEAT that has been conceived as an electric vehicle and it is scheduled for market launch in 2020. SEAT will be the Volkswagen Group’s second brand to make a model on the MEB platform, whose assembly line is set to turn out a new generation of vehicles based on the market’s most advanced electric and connectivity technology.
With a practical range of between 300 and 420 km thanks to its 58 kWh battery, this vehicle is ready to travel beyond urban limits. The battery is compatible with direct current superchargers of 100 kW; Thanks to this, the SEAT el-Born will take the energy needed for at least 260km in only 30 minutes.
SEAT Minimo, the best companion for the city
The SEAT Minimo concept vehicle, which was presented at the most recent edition of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, combines the comfort and safety of a car with the agility of a motorcycle. This new concept confirms SEAT’s commitment to urban micromobility and expands the easy mobility ecosystem that the brand is fostering. The company is working with institutions to continue to develop the model with the needs of cities in mind prior to its possible market launch. Following the launch of the SEAT eXS KickScooter powered by SEGWAY and with the international presentation of the SEAT Minimo concept car, the company is going to lead the urban micromobility strategy for the Volkswagen Group.
CUPRA connects to the future
After just one year of operation as an independent brand, CUPRA is presenting the CUPRA Formentor concept car in Barcelona, which is the first model it has developed. It is intended to take the brand into the future, equipped with a high-performance plug-in hybrid engine whose output is designed to comply with current performance and efficiency requirements. Its market launch in 2020 will signal the beginning of the brand’s electrification of commercial vehicles.
Visitors to the motor show can also admire the CUPRA e-Racer, the first fully electric racing touring car. The e-Racer is a true racecar that offers 300 kW of continuos power and up to 500 kW (680 PS) of peak power. It can reach a top speed of 270 km/h, accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in only 3.2 seconds and from 0 to 200 km/h in just 8.2 seconds.
