Seat Kicks Off Its E-Mobility Offensive In Geneva

March 6, 2019 by SEAT

Ready for the future

•The carmaker shows its global vision of electric mobility, from an urban two-seater to a high-performance CUV

•World premiere of the el-Born, SEAT's first 100% EV built on the MEB platform, and the CUPRA Formentor, a high-performance plug-in hybrid CUV with CUPRA DNA

•Also making its debut is the city ally Minimó, which is set to revolutionise micromobility

•SEAT continues its double-digit sales growth in 2019 (+12.8%) and CUPRA deliveries go up by 101.4%

Geneva, 05/03/2019.- SEAT is kicking off its e-mobility offensive at Geneva Motor Show. In the framework of one of the main meeting points for the automotive industry, the brand is presenting its vision of electric technology applied to such diverse vehicles as an urban two-seater or a high-performance CUV (Cross Utility Vehicle), two complementary alternatives for today's mobility needs.

The company is presenting two concept cars for the first time globally in Geneva: the el-Born, its first 100% electric vehicle based on the Volkswagen Group's MEB platform, and the CUPRA Formentor, a high-performance plug-in hybrid CUV with CUPRA DNA which is the first vehicle developed specifically for this brand. The SEAT Minimó is also making its first appearance at the motor show; it is a forward-looking city ally that is going to revolutionise urban micromobility. They all underscore the company's commitment to developing more sustainable mobility.

SEAT has equipped all three concepts with hyperconnectivity technology, featuring breakthroughs such as voice-controlled infotainment systems, which the company has developed in recent years and which have made SEAT a front runner in this aspect. Electrification, connectivity and micromobility, together with record sales and financial results, are the main assets that shape SEAT as a futureproof company.

At the press conference to present the brand's latest innovations in Geneva, SEAT President Luca de Meo stated that 'after three consecutive years of growth and posting a historic record in 2018, we come to Geneva with three powerful news and essentially the message that this company has never been as competitive as it is today, and it will continue to be strong tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.'

SEAT has broken financial and sales records over the past years, boosting the expansion of the brand and establishing it as one of the fastest growing carmakers in Europe. After closing 2018 with its highest sales figures ever (517,600 cars; +10.5%), it went on to maintain double digit growth in the first two months of 2019 (88,900; +12.8%).

el-Born, electrifying SEAT

The el-Born concept car is the first SEAT conceived as an electric vehicle, and it will reach the market in 2020. Created to spearhead SEAT's e-mobility offensive, it is a real game changer for the company, both for its features, which meet today's mobility needs, as for the changes involving the company's purchasing, sales and marketing strategy, among others. As a brand with a customer base that is 10 years younger than the European average, SEAT is going to play a key role in bringing e-mobility closer to young drivers.

SEAT will be the second brand of the Volkswagen Group to build a car on the MEB platform, and a new generation of products based on the most advanced electric and connectivity technology will roll off its assembly lines. SEAT's first 100% electric car will be designed and developed in Barcelona and manufactured at the Group's plant in Zwickau, Germany.

The el-Born model takes its name from one of Barcelona's most emblematic neighbourhoods, which has been the source of inspiration for SEAT designers and engineers who created a sporty vehicle equipped with the most advanced electric technology.

With a real world range of up to 420 km based on the WLTP drive cycle from its 62 kWh energy dense battery pack, the vehicle is ready to travel beyond the city limits. And with compatibility with up to 100 kW DC supercharging, the battery can be returned from 0 to 80% in as little as 47 minutes.

CUPRA Formentor, the manifesto of the brand

Following a complete year of operation as an independent brand, CUPRA is unveiling its Formentor concept in Geneva, the first model to be developed specifically by and for CUPRA. This CUV incorporates all the character traits of a brand such as CUPRA - uniqueness, sophistication and performance.

The car, which will reach the market in 2020, was named after cape Formentor, one of the most beautiful, wildest and therefore exclusive capes on the island of Mallorca and a name that evokes power, strength and safety.

With the Formentor, the brand's most emotional and technologically advanced model, CUPRA celebrates its first anniversary full throttle by entering a new segment and committing to an innovative high-performance plug-in hybrid engine. The Formentor revs up the shift towards electrification and previews the design direction of future CUPRA models.

After a successful first year on the market, selling 14,400 cars and registering a 40% growth, CUPRA is consolidating its own path. In the first two months of 2019, the brand increased sales by 101.4%, with a total of 3,600 units. CUPRA is rolling out a network of 280 specialised selling points all over the world, and has set the goal of doubling its sales within the next three to five years.

Minimó, the ally for the city

With the Minimó, SEAT takes a step forward in shaping the future of micromobility. The Minimó, which was shown last week at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, combines the best of a car and of a motorcycle. This electric concept delivers excellent handling and easy parking, and features the comfort and the safety of a vehicle and the agility of a two-wheeler. It is a leap in SEAT's urban micromobility strategy and expands the easy mobility ecosystem powered by the Barcelona brand. The company wants to listen to citizens and institutions to further develop the concept with their input.

The name Minimó stands for its minimum size and maximum mobility. It has been designed with the needs of future cities in mind, where different vehicles will operate on just a few mobility platforms. Because of that, it has a battery swap system that allows full vehicle charging in just a few minutes and provides a range of 100 kilometres. The set-up of the vehicle can be adjusted via smartphone according to user profile, and it has 5G connectivity, Google voice assistant and a digital key for a seamless digital experience.

5G technology is going to be key for the automotive sector in the future. SEAT is participating at the Mobile 5G Barcelona, a project that aims to promote the city as one of the benchmark European capitals of 5G technology. In this context, SEAT and Telefónica launched the 5G Connected Car pilot project at the MWC, the first to be carried out on city streets in Europe to demonstrate how the vehicle communicates with surrounding infrastructure and other cars as an initial stage for achieving cooperative, autonomous driving.

Sustainable mobility

With the step forward in e-mobility shown at the Geneva Motor Show, SEAT reasserts its commitment to sustainable mobility. By incorporating 100% electric vehicles, designed for more efficient journeys within cities, and providing high performance vehicles equipped with hybrid engines, SEAT points the way forward of its contribution to a decarbonised society, as set out in the Paris Agreements.

SEAT is the only company that designs, develops, manufactures and markets cars in Spain. A member of the Volkswagen Group, the multinational has its headquarters in Martorell (Barcelona), exporting 80% of its vehicles, and is present in over 80 countries on all five continents. In 2018, SEAT sold 517,600 cars, the highest amount in the brand's 68 years of history.

The SEAT Group employs more than 15,000 professionals and has three production centres – Barcelona, El Prat de Llobregat and Martorell, where it manufactures the highly successful Ibiza, Arona and Leon. Additionally, the company produces the Ateca and the Toledo in the Czech Republic, the Tarraco in Germany, the Alhambra in Portugal and the Mii in Slovakia.

The multinational has a Technical Centre, which operates as a knowledge hub that brings together 1,000 engineers who are focussed on developing innovation for Spain's largest industrial investor in R&D. SEAT already features the latest connectivity technology in its vehicle range and is currently engaged in the company's global digitalisation process to promote the mobility of the future.

Photo credit: SEAT
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