Seat to put SUV-coupe into production in 2020

Seat will put a sporty SUV-coupé into production in 2020, the brand's research and development boss Matthias Rabe has said.

Speaking at the launch of the new Seat Arona crossover, Rabe confirmed the brand’s plan for the model, which could be the first launched under what will then be a standalone Cupra brand. 

The model's styling will draw heavily from the Seat 20V20 concept of the 2015 Geneva motor show. 

It's likely to have a plug-in hybrid powertrain somewhere in the range as the Barcelona brand prepares to electrify its range in line with its Volkswagen Group stablemates. 

The first electric Seat will arrive in 2019, likely based on Mii, followed in 2020 by a new model based on the Group’s electric-only MEB platform.

Seat boss Luca De Meo previously said that he sees potential in the sports crossover market, giving the Porsche Macan as an example. 

Given De Meo’s citing of the Macan, it’s likely that Seat's SUV-coupé will be a more upmarket offering from the Cupra brand, although it’s not yet known where the model will be positioned in relation to the Macan in terms of dimensions, specification or price.