SEAT to lead VW's entry level EV venture

SEAT has announced that it will lead the Volkswagen Group's venture to develop an entry-level EV which will be priced at under 20,000 euros (£17,000).

The VW Group's venture is to introduce an entry level EV, similar in size to the VW Polo or SEAT Ibiza, by 2023. SEAT chairman Luca de Meo has confirmed that 300 engineers have been assigned to the venture in Barcelona. SEAT might be one of many manufacturers to make use of the smaller, cheaper MEB structure.

“For the primary time, the SEAT Technical Centre might be growing a platform that could be utilized by extra manufacturers across the globe,” said de Meo.

VW Group CEO Dr Herbert Diess added:

“SEAT is an important constructing block for the way forward for the VW Group. It’s a profitable and vital participant once more, based mostly on shut cooperation and synergies in addition to joint know-how and product improvement. The small electrical platform is a good illustration of this. It permits us to understand the primary electrical car that’s particularly designed for city journeys accessible for lower than 20,000 euros.”

In addfition, SEAT has confirmed the identities of its first six pure-electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles, which should all be on sale by the beginning of 2021. A Mii Electric city car will be followed by the el-Born hatchback, recently revealed in concept form at the Geneva Motor Show.

PHEV versions of the SEAT Tarraco SUV and SEAT Leon hatchback are also being developed, while the next two models from SEAT's Cupra standalone performance brand – the Formentor crossover and Cupra’s edition of the Leon – will also receive hybrid drivetrains.