New SEAT Tarraco PHEV hybrid revealed

The SEAT Tarraco will soon be available as a plug-in hybrid. The Tarraco PHEV will make its public debut at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, before going on sale in 2020. At the same time, SEAT will start offering the Tarraco in a sporty FR trim, just as it has done with the Ibiza, Arona, Leon and Ateca.

The hybrid model is powered by a 148bhp 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine, a 13kWh battery and a 113bhp electric motor. Together, they produce 242bhp (the engine and electric motor don’t produce their maximum power at the same time), which is enough to get the Tarraco PHEV from 0-62mph in 7.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 135mph. It’ll become the most powerful Tarraco in the range and will share its drivetrain with the upcoming Cupra Formentor coupe SUV.

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Having the electric motor on board means the SEAT Tarraco PHEV will manage around 30 miles of zero-emission driving on a full charge. CO2 emissions will be under 50g/km, placing the big SUV into a very appealing Benefit-in-Kind bracket for company-car drivers. Full fuel economy figures are yet to be revealed but it’ll be most suited to low-mileage and urban drivers.

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The extra space needed for the electric motor and battery often means practicality suffers slightly, so it’s not clear yet whether the Tarraco PHEV will still have seven seats.

Also joining the Tarraco range will be a new FR model, designed to give SEAT’s largest SUV a sportier look. It’ll be marked out with subtle styling changes, including wider wheel arches, a bigger boot spoiler and new 19-inch alloy wheels. There are FR badges front and rear, plus a full-width light bar that connects the rear light clusters.

Inside, cars in FR spec get more supportive sports seats, which are electrically operated and offer a memory function on the driver’s side. There’s also a sportier-looking steering wheel and aluminium pedals. You can spec 20-inch alloy wheels and a new Fura Grey colour from the options list, plus helpful features like trailer assistance and a system that can pre-heat the engine and interior.

Prices and full specifications will be revealed before the new Tarraco versions go on sale in 2020.

Read our SEAT Tarraco review for more information, or read our guide to the best large SUVs to see how it compares to its rivals.