New Seat Mii: Volkswagen Up! City Car Spawns Third Derivative

The world premiere of the VW Up! at last month's 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show last month was only the beginning for the German group as after the recent presentation of the Skoda Citigo, Seat is next in line to gain its version of the small city car with the Mii.

The new Mii is the Spanish firm's first offering in the segment after the termination of the Arosa mini in 2004, which was also based on a VW model, the Lupo.

As is the case with the Skoda Citigo, the only visible differences between the Seat Mii and the VW Up! are their front end styling, alloy wheel designs, tail lamp graphics and the interior trim colors and options.

The same goes for the powertrain choices as the 3.56m-long Mii, which tips the scales at just 854kg (1,883 pounds), will be offered with the VW Group's new 1.0-litre petrol engines with either 60HP (40kW) or 75HP (60kW).

The 60HP model is good for a top speed of 160km/h (99mph) and a combined fuel efficiency of 4.5lt/100km (52.3mpg US or 62.8mpg UK), while the 75HP variant reaches a top speed of 170km/h (106mph) and returns 4.7lt/100km (50mpg US or 60.1mpg UK).

Seat said it will also offer an Ecomotive variant featuring a Start/Stop system that will return a CO2 figure of just 97 g/km as well as a gasoline/CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) derivative that will emit a mere 86 grams of CO2/km making it one of the cleanest cars in the world.

The Mii will first launch as a three-door model in Spain this November, with sales to start in the rest of Europe in Spring of 2012. A five-door model will be added to the range before the end of next year.

 

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More

IAA 2011: Seat's Sharp Looking IBL Concept Sedan

It may have an unsexy name, but Seat's latest creation, the IBL concept, is anything but lackluster when it comes to its styling.

The sharp looking study is a Ford Mondeo-sized sports saloon created to show off the latest evolution of Seat's design DNA, and while the Spanish brand says it does not pre-empt a specific model, its styling philosophy will be applied to the firm's future portfolio.

Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos, the new head honcho of SEAT Design, explains: "The IBL was created from the unique design DNA that will prevail right across our next vehicle generation."

"The IBL is certainly more than a saloon; it is the SEAT interpretation of a very sporty four-door. With it, we are also demonstrating that we can apply our elegant dynamics and our youthful character to a full-size vehicle concept, too, making it unique and unmistakable," he added.

The concept model is roughly the same size as the Spanish firm's rebadged, previous generation Audi A4, the Exeo, measuring 4.67 metres long and 1.85 metres wide with a 2.71 metres long wheelbase.

The clean, almost minimalistic design language of the exterior is continued in the interior that boasts a cockpit oriented towards the driver. Highlights include the fully digital display that can be programmed to suit the driver’s preferences with the information presented either in the form of classic analogue dials or as a digital readout.

Mr Mesonero-Romanos added: "The interior of IBL is in total harmony with its exterior design. It is definitely a place where you want to be, and to be seen."

 

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More