“SEAT’s ambition to electrify its vehicle line-up is exemplified by the mating of combustion and electricity and delivering vehicles such as the SEAT Tarraco e-HYBRID,” said Dr. Werner Tietz, executive Vice-President for Research and Development at SEAT. “It proves that advanced powertrain technologies can make even the largest vehicles more efficient, maintaining their relevance in a market more influenced by environmental concerns.”
Underneath the large SUV’s bonnet sits the heart of the advanced plug-in hybrid, mixing a 1.4 litre TSI 150PS (110kW) petrol engine with a 85kW (115PS) electric motor linked to a six-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission and with a front-wheel drivetrain, delivering a combined output of 180kW/245PS and 400Nm of torque.
Electric energy is stored in a 13kWh lithium-ion battery pack housed low and towards the rear of the SUV, meaning weight is more evenly distributed across the chassis.
The system switches instantly between the different driving modes – whether the SEAT Tarraco e-HYBRID is powered solely by electricity, a mixture of both combustion and electric energy or combustion engine.
The plug-in hybrid version provides a range of some 49km (WLTP) using just the energy stored in the vehicle’s battery – perfect for increased efficiency or to travel around city streets where air quality regulations are stricter – and can be used at speeds of up to 140km/h making it incredibly versatile. And when longer distances are required, the SEAT Tarraco e-HYBRID uses both electric and petrol engines to deliver a 730km range without the need to refuel.
When in electric-only mode power, delivery is progressive yet instantaneous, meaning not only does the driver benefit from an immensely dynamic but one that is engaging and reacts instantly to their inputs.
The plug-in hybrid technology also provides an extensive amount of control over the system for the driver. The SEAT Tarraco e-HYBRID always starts in all-electric mode if the battery is sufficiently charged. But the drive can switch automatically to Hybrid mode if the energy capability of the battery drops below a certain level or if the speed rises above 140 km/h. In Hybrid mode, the driver can also maintain the status of charge, increasing it or reducing it to a defined level. The SEAT Tarraco e-HYBRID also features three levels of regenerative braking, which can be adjusted via the infotainment system.
In addition to the different plug-in hybrid modes (e-Mode, Automatic Hybrid or Manual Hybrid), accessible and configurable via the infotainment system, the SEAT Tarraco e-HYBRID also features two further specific buttons: e-Mode and s-Boost.
In case the electric-only system depletes the battery to a certain level, the powertrain switches back to hybrid mode. But once you’re near a power source, when the battery needs recharging, it can be plugged quickly and easily, thanks to a charge port placed at the front on the driver side. Replenishing takes places in as little as 3 and a half hours using a 3.6kW wallbox, or in 5 hours using a 2.3kW domestic system.
The large SUV’s chassis, which mixes MacPherson struts at the front and a multilink system at the rear and a progressive electric power steering system, delivers an involved drive. So, when you head off the beaten track, enjoyment is guaranteed.
Due to the selectable driver profiles through the rotary dial – Eco, Normal, Sport and Individual – the vehicle’s ride and handling can change depending on the conditions and the driver’s requirements. Thanks to the tunability in individual mode, offering an immense number of possibilities, so no matter what the conditions, no matter who the driver, the SEAT Tarraco e-HYBRID provides the right driving characteristics.
The agility shown by the SEAT Tarraco e-HYBRID is delivered thanks to the packaging of the plug-in hybrid system. While it’s evident that it requires more space than a traditional combustion engine, it’s been packaged to maximise both dynamics and its impact on interior roominess.
Weight is balanced between the front and rear of the vehicle; under the bonnet sits the engine, motor and PCU, while at the tail is the lithium-ion battery and fuel tank delicately shifting weight around the SUV to spread the load evenly.
And while the SEAT Tarraco e-HYBRID delivers the core values that every vehicle that the brand produces needs, it adds an astonishing level of efficiency too.
Thanks to its electric-combustion powertrain mix, CO2 emissions are between 37-47g/km while it uses as little as 1.6-2.1 litres of fuel to travel 100km according to the official test cycle.
Those figures are even more incredible when the large SUV still manages to achieve a performance figure of 0-100km/h in only 7.5 seconds and a top speed of 205km/h.
The SEAT Tarraco e-HYBRID proves that electrification is a technology that delivers numerous advantages and is part of a bright future where mobility needs can be reached while still reducing our impact on the environment.
SEAT Communications
Fernando Salvador
Head of Product & Events Communications
M/ +34 609 434 670
fernando.salvador@seat.es
Arnaud Hacault
Head of Product Communications
M/ +34 659 134 804
Arnaud.hacault@seat.es
Jan Conesa
Product Communications
M/ +34 650 659 096
jan.conesa@seat.es