SEAT Tarraco FR SUV gets a plug-in Hybrid powertrain – SEAT’s first PHEV

The SEAT Tarraco – SEAT’s biggest SUV – will arrive at the Frankfurt Motor Show with a new plug-in hybrid powertrain and sporty FR trim.

SEAT revealed the Tarraco SUV almost a year ago as VW’s siblings continued their assault on the seemingly never-ending appetite for SUVs of all shapes and sizes, and it went on sale in the UK just before Christmas last year.

When SEAT put the Tarraco on sale in the UK it was with the usual range of petrol and diesel engines, although when the Tarraco was first revealed SEAT had said it would come with a plug-in hybrid option and sporty FR trim too. And now it does, or at least will after the Tarraco PHEV debuts at Frankfurt.

The plug-in hybrid Tarraco has a 148bhp 1.4 litre turbo petrol joined by a 113bhp electric motor for a combined usable 242bhp and 295lb/ft of torque, enough to scoot to 62mph in 7.4 seconds.

SEAT hasn’t revealed official economy figures for the Tarraco PHEV, but it does come with emissions of under 50g/km and no doubt a silly three-figure official economy figure. But SEAT do say it will do over 31 miles as an EV (which it won’t).

The Tarraco PHEV heading for Frankfurt will also sport SEAT’s ‘FR’ sporty trim with bigger alloys, titivated grille and wheelarches and sporty bumpers. It will be rolled out across at least some of the Tarraco’s other engine options.

SEAT say both the PHEV and FR trim will be available next year.