SEAT Technical Center celebrates its 40th birthday!

Published on: 2015-08-18

More than 40 years ago, SEAT made a decision that changed the fate of not only the Spanish brand, but the entire Spanish car industry. In 1975, the SEAT Technical Center was established near Barcelona, which to this day specializes in the latest technologies that are used in the brand's models.

This year, the SEAT Technical Center celebrates its 40th anniversary. This place "sketched" the whole picture of the Spanish automotive industry and gave rise to many modern technologies for four wheels. It is the source of the SEAT brand DNA and the birthplace of the Spanish automotive industry. Over the last 5 years, it has absorbed as much as EUR 1.4 billion of investments to design, create and build in an even more ecological and modern way.

40 years have passed ...

1975 was a turning point for Spain - it marked the end of General Franco's policy and the beginning of an era of socio-economic changes throughout the country. One of the most important of them was the establishment of the SEAT Technical Center, which started its work the same year, occupying an area of 130 thousand square meters. m2 and employing 211 employees.

Today, the size of SEAT has increased significantly - 200 thousand. m2 and almost 1,000 engineers and technicians. The heart of the SEAT Technical Center, which beats ever harder, is the car factory in Martorell, which was opened in 1993. It is currently one of the most modern centers of this type in Europe. 2,100 cars roll off the assembly line in Martorell daily, from where they are delivered to 75 countries around the world. The factory closed the year 2014 with the result of 443 thousand. cars produced.

The SEAT Technical Center is responsible for the creation of many ecological and efficient Ecomotive engines, interesting technologies and the most iconic models of the brand: Leon, Ibiza, Toledo, Alhambra, Malaga, Marbella, Cordoba, Altea and Arosa. Each of them began their successful journey right here.

In addition to production models, concept cars were also produced at the SEAT Technical Center. This is where, among others, the following were born: Ibiza Cabrio (1986), models Proto TL and Proto C (1990), Marbella Playa (1991), Concept T (1992), Concept T Cabrio (1993), Cordoba Cabrio (1996), Bolero (1998), Formula (1999), Salsa (2000), Salsa Emocion (2000), Tango (2001), Cupra GT (2003), Leon Prototipo (2005), Ibiza Vaillante (2006), Altea Freetrack (2007), Tribu (2007), Bocanegra (2008), IBZ (2009), IBE (2010), IBX (2011), IBL (2011), Toledo Concept (2012) and Ibiza Cupster (2014). The latest pride of the bets is the idea for a compact SUV from the brand with a sporty line - 20V20 (2015).

How it's working?

The SEAT Technical Center makes SEAT the only company in the automotive industry in Spain that designs, develops, produces and sells its own cars. The process of making cars begins here with transferring an idea onto a piece of paper, and then goes through the subsequent phases.

After the initial design, the creative work begins. At this stage, designers must be creative in looking for new technologies and functionalities. Parallel to this phase, the technical department analyzes the exterior and interior and checks their feasibility. Once the form of the car is accepted, its aerodynamics, body stiffness and chassis responses are tested.

If the whole thing works out, SEAT uses one of the most modern tools, i.e. a digital model - it allows you to test the car using many dynamic computer simulations, such as virtual crash tests or the behavior of the entire car on the road. Finally, before putting it into mass production, the SEAT Technical Center checks the feasibility of the car on a prototype. At this stage, the most important thing is exhaustive and meticulous research and experiments of the vehicle.

A look to the future

The SEAT Technical Center is also the Brand Knowledge Center, where the future of the automotive industry is created. Its operation focuses on a pioneering approach to creating cars, combining the development of technology with care for the environment. At its plant, SEAT gives priority to reducing CO2 emissions, innovation in ecology, the best safety measures and business responsibility.

Over the past 8 years, SEAT has reduced the average CO2 emissions of its models by 21%. This was achieved thanks to the introduction of the Start / Stop system, improved aerodynamics of the sculpture and lightweight structures. As a result, 66% of the cars sold in Europe by the brand emit less than 120 g / km of CO2.

SEAT has also invested in alternative propulsion systems, such as compressed natural gas, and is conquering the market with the Leon TGI and Mia EcoFuel. Electric vehicles under the SEAT brand will also enter the market soon.

Along with ecology and safety, the connectivity aspect is at the fore at the SEAT Technical Center. The brand is constantly working on innovations for its models, making them "live" in accordance with the latest technology - eg with smartphones and their applications. The new SEAT Ibiza is already able to connect to the driver's mobile device thanks to MirrorLink and display its content on the car's screen. This allows you to use your smartphone safely and conveniently, while concentrating on driving.

Technology that brings the market to life

Over the past 40 years, SEAT has become a major powerhouse in Spain's auto industry, both locally and nationally. Many small and medium-sized businesses depend on a brand's production that directly or indirectly employs around 70,000 people.

Today, the SEAT Technical Center is a source of pride for all of Spain. Modernity, style and ecology - many of us would like to be in this form at the age of 40.

We also invite you to watch the film presenting the SEAT Technical Center.