SEAT el-Born ELECTRIC Concept Hatch revealed – SEAT’s take on the VW ID Hatch

The electric SEAT el-Born Concept is heading for Geneva as a SEAT electric hatch concept, SEAT’s take on the VW ID Hatch.

There was a time, not so very long ago, when SEAT was the poor relation of the VW Group, making losses when the rest of the group were making profits.

But the arrival of a more focused SEAT, and a range of SUVs, has turned things around, and now SEAT’s ‘Sporty’ take on VW’s cars is a bit of a shining star, evidenced by this – the SEAT el-Born electric Concept Hatch.

Heading for an outing at the Geneva Motor Show this month, the el-Born (named after a part of Barcelona) is the second car built on VW’s MEB electric architecture – after the VW ID – with SEAT clearly getting first dibs to follow VW with its own electric hatch.

The el-Born has a similar hatchback look to the VW ID Hatch, with a spacious cabin and cabin forward look, a digital cockpit and 10″ infotainment inside, a degree of autonomous ability and, say SEAT, is 95 per cent production ready.

The el-Born gets a 62kWh battery (hello Hyundai Kona EV and Kia e-Niro) for a decent range of around 260 miles, can get to 62mph in 7.5 seconds and has 100kW DC charging for speedy top-ups. It also gets thermal management for increased range in extreme temperatures.

The SEAT el-Born is expected to turn in to a production model in 2020.