Seat has had a busy few years recently – expanding its line-up of models with the Taracco and Arona, while also separating its Cupra performance brand so that it can become a marque in its own right.
But 2020 looks set to be an even bigger year for the ever-growing Spanish manufacturer, with a number of key new cars in the pipeline. Here’s what we can expect from Seat in 2020.
Its first EV will go on sale
Seat unveiled its first all-electric model – the Mii Electric – in June, and at the start of 2020 it will arrive in showrooms. This surprisingly practical city car shares its underpinnings with the updated Volkswagen e-Up! and Skoda Citigo-e iV, which are both reaching showrooms at the start of next year, too.
Seat is scrapping the petrol engines fitted to the Mii previously once this new EV goes on sale – showing the brand’s commitment to electrification. Seat says the model’s 36.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack will enable 161 miles of electric range – more than many of its electric city car rivals.
Seat hasn’t yet announced pricing for the new EV, but it’s expected to be one of the more affordable electric cars on sale when order books open later in 2019. Expect it to start from around £18,000.
New Tarraco FR
Seat’s largest SUV – the Tarraco – is already a compelling option with plenty of choice, but in 2020 the range will be expanded further.
First up will be the introduction of a new sporty-looking FR trim level – a grade offered on every Seat, with the exception of the Alhambra MPV.
On the Tarraco this FR grade brings 19-inch alloy wheels, wider wheel arches, a sporty rear spoiler and 19-inch alloy wheels (optional 20s), along with electric sports bucket seats and a sports steering wheel.
Seat’s first plug-in hybrid
But importantly, next year we will also see Seat’s first plug-in hybrid, which will be a PHEV version of the Tarraco, which was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show earlier this month.
It will use the same powertrain as that offered in the Volkswagen Passat GTE, which sees a 1.4-litre petrol engine paired to an electric motor to produce a combined 242bhp – making it the most powerful version of the Tarraco.
It will be capable of an electric range of 31 miles, but also emit CO2 emissions under 50g/km, which is fantastic for a large seven-seat SUV. This version will be available to order in 2020, at the same time as the Tarraco FR.
All-new Seat Leon to be unveiled
Next year will see the unveiling of an all-new Leon, which is a hugely important car for Seat as it’s the brand’s best-selling model. This version is expected to be unveiled before the end of the year, along with the all-new iteration of the Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3 – these cars all sharing the same platform.
Judging from a few spy shots we’ve seen, the new Leon will take style cues from the Tarraco – particularly on its grille and rear light bar at the rear, though the model has only been seen in heavy camouflage so far.
The new Leon will arrive in showrooms in 2020 with an all-new look, an updated interior and be offered solely in five-door form. A plug-in hybrid version of the new car has already been announced, but whether or not this is badged as a Seat or a hotter Cupra hybrid still remains to be seen.
The first dedicated Seat EV will debut
Seat has already pulled the wraps off its first standalone EV – the el-Born, though only in near-production form. Unlike the Mii Electric, which sits on the same platform as combustion-powered models, the el-Born will sit on Volkswagen Group’s dedicated electric underpinnings – known as the MEB platform.
The el-Born will be Seat’s version of the recently-unveiled Volkswagen ID.3 hatchback – being a similar size to the Leon. It’s expected to offer around 260 miles of electric range when it goes on sale in 2020.
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