SEAT is considering a plug-in hybrid SUV as the first model of Cupra

SEAT is betting heavily on crossovers, and proof of this is that in the last year it has launched a compact SUV, the Arona, a mid-size one, the Ateca, which we have already tested, and has announced the arrival of another large-sized model whose name has yet to be decided; we recall that the name was chosen by the public and that the four finalists are the following: Alborán, Aranda, Ávila and Tarraco).

But that is not where it ends: according to the brand’s head of R&D, Matthias Rabe, the Spanish firm is planning the launch of an SUV coupé that could reach the streets before 2020.

During the presentation of the SEAT Arona, SEAT’s head of R&D assured that the company is considering whether to produce a sporty crossover. Rabe’s statements were collected by Autocar and confirm what SEAT’s boss, Luca De Meo, had already hinted at: “a sporty crossover has significant potential for the brand given the success that models such as the Porsche Macan have had.”

Considering the example chosen by Luca De Meo to speak about the success his sporty crossover could have, we could think that the Spanish company intends to position it as a sporty and premium vehicle, two qualities that would fit perfectly with the Cupra brand. SEAT’s until now sporty division will become a completely independent brand, and the aforementioned SUV coupé could become the first model to roll off its production lines.

The SEAT SUV coupé or Cupra will in principle use the same design language as the 20V20 prototype, a concept presented in 2015 that ultimately gave rise to the SEAT Ateca. In addition, this car will begin an important revolution at SEAT, as it will be the brand’s first plug-in hybrid.