Seat will launch a new electric Scooter later this month, as part of the Spanish firm’s attempts to become a leader in ‘urban mobility solutions’ to tackle congestion in large cities. The eScooter, which is being developed in collaboration with Barcelona-based motorcycle maker Silence, will join the upcoming Minimo and the eXS Kickscooter in the company’s new urban transport line-up. While Seat has not given performance details, it says the eScooter features a 100% electric powertrain equivalent to a 125cc petrol bike. It will be presented at the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona later this month. In recent years, an increasing number of car companies have started targeting solutions for crowded cities. Earlier this year, Seat announced that it would spearhead efforts in the segment within the Volkswagen Group. Last year the brand piloted a fleet of prototype car sharing vehicles, modelled on its upcoming Seat eMii, which users could rent through a mobile app, and a forerunner to its eScooter, the Segway-based eXS. In 2021, Seat will introduce a new small electric city car. The Minimo develops the concept of the Renault Twizy and fronts the firm’s increasing emphasis on small and environmentally-friendly transport alternatives. Seat boss Luca de Meo said that “the constant growth of large cities makes achieving efficient mobility one of the main challenges to
Origin: Seat to launch electric scooter as urban mobility vehicle
Seat
New Seat Mii electric priced from £19,300 in UK
Seat has announced UK pricing for the Mii Electric, its first zero-emissions model, will begin at £19,300, making it one of the cheapest mainstream electric cars available in the UK. Seat is also offering the first 300 buyers fitment of a wall-mounted home charger, a three-pin home charging cable, three years servicing and roadside assistance free of charge. The supermini’s sub-£20,000 price tag is lower than that of its Vauxhall Corsa-e, Peugeot e-208, Mini Electric and Honda e rivals. The new Renault Zoe is available from £18,670 under the firm’s battery leasing scheme, but monthly costs have yet to be revealed. As part of Seat’s ‘easyMOVE’ range simplification strategy, only one trim is available from launch. Standard equipment includes metallic paint, lane assist, fast charging capabilities, 16in alloy wheels, air conditioning and automatic windscreen wipers. Owners can also make use of an associated smartphone app, which allows the climate control, lights and locks to be activated remotely, and gives information on journey times and the car’s location. The Mii Electric shares its drivetrain with the recently revealed Skoda Citigo-e iV and replaces the petrol-engined Mii, which went out of production in July. With an 82bhp electric motor mated to a single-speed transmission, the Mii Electric produces 156lb ft torque, enabling it to accelerate from 0-31mph in 3.9sec and onto a limited top speed of 81mph. A 36.8kWh battery pack gives a WLTP-certified range of 162 miles. That’s 2 miles less than the 164 miles offered by the Citigo-e iV but 79 more than the ageing Volkswagen e-Up. Styling changes over the outgoing Mii are subtle, limited to 16in alloy wheels and the addition of illuminated badging to the back and sides. Unlike the Citigo-e iV, the Mii retains the mesh grille fitted to the petrol car. Inside, the Mii Electric sports a redesigned dashboard, heated, ‘performance-inspired’ seats and a leather steering wheel, handbrake and gear selector. Boot space is unchanged, at 251 litres. The Mii Electric is aimed squarely at “those who spend the majority of their time traversing metropolitan and suburban streets”, says Seat. It can be charged in around four hours to 80% capacity from a 7.2kW home wallbox or one hour from a 40kW public fast charger. Seat said the Mii’s shift to electric power will help prepare its dealerships for the arrival of the el-Born in 2020. Company president Luca de Meo said: “In Europe, the electric vehicle market grew by 46% in the first four months of the year. Moving forward, we expect electrified vehicles to play an important role within our range. “The Mii Electric is the start of that journey and at the same time brings to the market an affordable electric car.” The Mii Electric is the production version of the 2017 e-Mii concept, of which five examples have been used in a car-sharing trial scheme in Barcelona, Spain as part of the new car’s development programme. Production of the Mii Electric will begin at Skoda’s plant in Bratislava, Slovakia later this year, with customer deliveries scheduled to begin in early 2020. The launch of the Mii electric comes as Seat gears up to introduce the el-Born EV, a plug-in hybrid variant of the next Leon and the plug-in hybrid Cupra Formentor sports
Origin: New Seat Mii electric priced from £19,300 in UK
Seat Mii Electric goes on sale
Seat Mii Electric goes on sale The Mii Electric launches the electrified Seat range Orders are now being taken for Seat’s Mii Electric, with the first 300 customers set to benefit from a free home charger, charging cable, and three years’ free servicing and roadside assistance. Featuring a range of 161 miles on a charge (WLTP) from its 38.8 kWh battery, the Seat is fitted with a 61 kW electric motor. The Mii Electric uses a CCS inlet to allow rapid charging at up to 40 kW. This means a charge to 80% will take less than an hour, while charging at home or in public on a 7 kW unit will take about four hours. Seat has kitted out the Mii Electric in one trim level, and it’s well equipped. Fitted as standard are 16-inch alloys, rear privacy glass, leather steering wheel and gear selector, heated front seats, air conditioning, cruise control, automatic wipers, and rear parking sensors. Seat’s Drive Mii app is also available to download on to customer’s smartphone, which acts as infotainment system when fitted into the car’s cradle. This includes navigation, and an eco trainer. The addition of the Seat connect app also means drivers can access the usual EV features, such as remote climate control, pre-conditioning, driving data, and charging management. The Mii Electric sees the launch of an updated VW Group electric citycar range, with a refreshed VW e-up! and new Skoda Citigo-e iV due – all sharing the same powertrain. The Seat Mii Electric can be ordered now, with pricing at £19,300 including UK Plug-in Car Grant. Deliveries are expected towards the end of Q1 2020.
Origin: Seat Mii Electric goes on sale
New Seat el-Born: 2020 electric hatchback begins testing
Seat’s first bespoke electric car, the el-Born, has hit the road in new disguised testing shots ahead of its launch in 2020. The model, named after a fashionable Barcelona neighbourhood, can be seen to sport dimensions and design details similar to the Geneva motor show concept (below), despite the usual camouflage. Autocar was told earlier in the year that the Geneva concept was 95% production-ready, with only a few minor changes coming ahead of production, and that appears to be the case. The el-Born will be the second EV built on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB electric architecture to go on sale when it is launched in 2020, after the Volkswagen ID hatchback. The engineering and powertrain of the two compact models are expected to be closely aligned, with a range of power outputs offered. The el-Born concept featured a 62kWh battery mounted in the skateboard chassis, with an electric motor making 201bhp. Seat claims it will achieve 0-62mph in 7.5sec. It will be compatible with 100kW DC supercharging, allowing the battery to be filled from empty to 80% in 47 minutes.The total range is quoted at 261 miles for this concept. It will also feature a thermal management system to maximise range in hot weather. The machine features a similar hatchback profile to the ID and styling that showcases what Seat design chief Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos calls “the ultimate translation of our emotional design language into the new world of electrical vehicles”. He added that “we have to make customers fall in love with the idea” of an EV. The design features several streamlined areas to boost aerodynamic efficiency, including the Seat logo positioned flush on the front bodywork of the car, above small cooling vents that provide air to the battery pack. The A-pillar of the car has been pushed forward to maximise internal space, with the sharp side lines creating an air curtain. The rear features an LED light strip that runs the full width of the bootlid, with a double-layer spoiler contributing to the car’s aerodynamic efficiency. The interior features a digital instrument display and a 10.0in infotainment touchscreen in a dashboard design that, Seat says, is driver-orientated. Seat also says the el-Born will feature “state-of-the-art” driver assistance systems capable of level two autonomy, meaning it can control steering, acceleration and deceleration. A large central bag compartment is located where the transmission tunnel would sit in a regular combustion-engined car. The el-Born will be built alongside the ID at Volkswagen’s plant in Zwickau, Germany. The first bespoke electric car from Skoda, Seat’s Volkswagen Group sibling, will be based on the Vision E concept and also use the MEB platform and similar
Origin: New Seat el-Born: 2020 electric hatchback begins testing
Seat Tarraco PHEV announced
Seat Tarraco PHEV announced The Tarraco is expected to have an electric range of more than 30 miles Seat has revealed a new version of its largest SUV – the Tarraco – with a plug-in hybrid powertrain fitted for the first time in the range. The new Tarraco FR PHEV has a 13 kWh battery pack, enabling an electric-only driving range of more than 31 miles on a single charge, and CO2 emissions below 50 g/km. Total power output is 245hp, from a 150hp 1.4 litre TSI petrol engine and 85 kW electric motor. Torque output is rated at 400 Nm, and the Tarraco PHEV will complete a 0-62mph time in just 7.4 seconds. Seat’s sporty FR trim will be applied to the PHEV, giving more aggressive styling and 19-inch wheels as standard. A new very paint scheme is added to the range, and Seat’s latest generation 9.2-inch infotainment system fitted inside. No charging information has been announced yet, but a Type 2 inlet is almost guaranteed, and charging is likely to be available at 3.6 kW from the on-board charger. These details could be revised though, and even the quoted performance and efficiency figures above are expected results rather than official WLTP calculated statistics. The new Tarraco PHEV will receive its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in early September, with orders and production starting in 2020.
Origin: Seat Tarraco PHEV announced
Nearly-new buying guide: Seat Leon
The Leon is the fourth piece in the Volkswagen Group family hatch jigsaw, the one with Spanish eyes. It’s the partygoer, although whether you believe it rocks the night away or simply has an early night like its three siblings depends on how seriously you take Seat’s brand positioning. It certainly looks the part, with its sharp creases and flowing lines. Inside, though, it’s a bit more subdued, and the quality of some out-of-the-way trim is average. Fortunately, it comes alive with a broad range of mainstream petrol and diesel engines, while beyond these are sporty 2.0-litre engines producing up to 306bhp and found in the Cupra. The Leon arrived in 2013 atop parent company Volkswagen’s new MQB platform and bristling with driver aids and technology. The headlights were full-LED, at least on higher-spec trims – a first in the family hatch class. Three-door versions were branded SC but here we’re concerned with the more practical five-door. Today, prices start at around £4000 for a 2014-reg 1.6 TDI with 100,000 miles in entry-level S trim. The 103bhp motor is a workmanlike affair but the mid-power 148bhp 2.0 TDI 150 is more satisfying. An 84,000-mile 2015-reg is £7400. For more poke, there’s the 181bhp 2.0 TDI 184. We found a 2014-reg FR Tech Pack with 117,000 miles for £5995. Among the petrols, a 2014-reg 104bhp 1.2 TSI 105 with 80,000 miles is £4250. This engine is adequate for scooting around town but more demanding drivers should aim for the larger 1.4 TSIs with 122bhp and 148bhp outputs. The latter is a more appealing all-rounder than the 148bhp 2.0 TDI and our top choice. S trim’s drab 15in steel wheels do little for the Leon’s party animal image so go for friskier SE (leather-covered steering wheel, 16in alloys and hill hold but standard suspension). FR offers a sportier feel. In addition to sports seats and sports suspension it has Drive Profile, offering steering and throttle modes. The facelift came in 2017, bringing a sharper look, restyled lights and more technology. Seat’s Easy Connect system is standard but you have to go to SE Technology to get an 8.0in screen with DAB radio and satnav, or SE Dynamic Technology to get rear parking sensors, which seems mean. Frustrating, too, because the Leon’s stylish lines come at the expense of rearward visibility. A reversing camera is an option, so look out for cars with one. Meanwhile, the 1.2 TSI was replaced by a three-cylinder, 113bhp 1.0 TSI 115. It’s a sweet unit and one of our favourites. The VW Group’s new and impressive 1.5 EVO engines in 128bhp and 148bhp outputs replaced the 1.4s, while the powerful 178bhp 1.8 TSI was replaced by the 187bhp 2.0 TSI 190 with a DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox as standard. Paired with Xcellence Technology trim, it’s a million miles from that 1.6 TDI S. Need to know Leons with less than 148bhp have a semi-rigid rear axle that gives a slightly springy ride; more powerful models such as the Cupra have a fully independent set-up. A new Leon, the Mk4, arrives later this year, bearing Seat’s new corporate face. It shares the current car’s MQB platform technology but has a slightly longer wheelbase to give a roomier cabin. There will be no three-door version. Keep your eyes peeled for strong pre-reg deals on run-out examples of the outgoing model. Seat’s approved used scheme offers a 12-month warranty and what it calls a ‘full service history check’. Crucially, the latter only claims to verify any Seat dealer servicing and is not a guarantee of full service history. Our pick Leon 1.4 TSI 150 FR Technology: The 148bhp engine is refined, responsive and economical. Add FR Technology’s 17in alloys, LED headlights, bodykit and sports seats and you have a good-value proposition. A 2017-reg with 24,000 miles is £11,500. Top spec pick Xcellence Technology: Live it up with lashings of chrome, ambient lighting, leather trim, keyless entry and ignition and convenience packs. A 2017 1.4 TSI 125 XT with 23k miles is £11,400 Wild card Leon 1.8 TSI 180 FR: The 180 sits plumb in the middle, offering strong in-gear performance and refined cruising, although it can sound strained at higher revs. A 2016 example with 21,000 miles is £12,500. Ones we found 2013 Seat Leon 1.2 TSI SE, 57,000 miles, £4200 2015 Seat Leon 1.6 TDI SE, 86,000 miles, £5995 2016 Seat Leon 1.4 Eco TSI 150 FR, 65,000 miles, £8040 2018 Seat Leon 1.2 TSI SE DT, 8000 miles,
Origin: Nearly-new buying guide: Seat Leon
Autocar confidential: Seat predicts a rough patch, BMW circles the wagons and more
In this week’s summary of motoring meetings, we hear about Porsche’s plans to develop new electric vehicle infrastructure, Ssangyong’s difficulties as a low-volume value car maker, and more. Porsche is Taycan EV infrastructure up a notch Porsche will offer branded fast-charging points at destinations such as hotels when the Taycan EV is launched, according to Porsche UK boss Marcus Eckermann. The chargers will be open to users of other makes of EV and Porsche will also tap into the Ionity network, part-funded by the Volkswagen Group. Seat’s glass is half full The pressure to cut emissions and switch to EVs will prove tough not just for Seat but also the industry as a whole, according to CEO Luca de Meo: “It will be a hard proving ground before a new era of automotive can blossom again. The next two or three years will be challenging, but the next 10 will probably be fantastic, for the whole industry.” Europe’s getting in estate The BMW 3 Series is best known as a saloon, but buyers in Germany – where more than a third of 3 Series are sold – prefer estates. The firm says 67% of the models sold in Germany to date have been Touring versions. Italian buyers are most keen on the estate, with 73% choosing it over the saloon. By contrast, 73% of UK buyers opt for the saloon. The cost of compliance The growing need for advanced safety systems means it’s not credible for smaller brands to be entirely focused on value, according to Ssangyong UK managing director Nick Laird. “Small brands can’t also be cheap brands, unless you under-invest in the long term,” he said. “That’s going to require niche brands to go more upmarket. Ssangyong has always been SUV-focused – which more brands are becoming – but we need to work hard to be different to the
Origin: Autocar confidential: Seat predicts a rough patch, BMW circles the wagons and more
Man used case of beer as booster seat for tot: OPP
A 30-can case of beer being used as a booster seat for a childOPP OPP say a man has been charged after he used a case of beer as a substitute for a booster seat for a two-year-old.Provincial police stopped a sedan on a road in Atwood, near Listowel, Ontario, around 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday.They say officers observed the toddler seated on a 30-can case of beer.2-year-old unharmed in @NorthPerth1 when @TwpWellNorth driver used a case of beer for a booster-seat. Driver charged w/ failing to ensure child properly seat-belted. Children under 40lbs require child-seat and under 8years80lbs49 require a booster ^JC #WellingtonOPP #PerthOPP pic.twitter.com/EmWqmT62R3 OPP West (@OPP_WR) July 10, 2019The 22-year-old driver was charged with failing to ensure that a toddler is properly secured in a vehicle.Police also say family and children services were notified so his name was not
Origin: Man used case of beer as booster seat for tot: OPP
Seat tech boss: it’s ‘possible’ to stop cars speeding for good
One of the Volkswagen Group’s senior figures in in-car technology has confirmed it has reached the point where governments could insist that cars no longer break speed limits. Leyre Olavarria, head of connected car and infotainment for Seat, admitted that cars actively preventing drivers from breaking a speed limit does not pose a technical challenge, given ‘intelligent speed assistance’ will be made mandatory from 2022. Asked what would happen if governments legislated for cars to no longer be capable of exceeding speed limits, in order to reduce road casualties and remove the cost of buying, installing and maintaining networks of speed cameras, Olavarria told Autocar: “From a technical perspective, it is possible. We can do it. It’s more a legal issue; how do regulators want to position themselves. It’s not a technical challenge to do that – the data is available.” Some experts envision a future where drivers may choose to opt out, and switch off any system that prevented them from breaking a speed limit, in much the same way it is possible to cancel the electronic stability control system of some cars. As the connected car and associated data becomes commonplace, many drivers have expressed concerns over the potential for data to be used against them. Olavarria said that, at present, GDPR data protection law clearly defines that data associated with driving remains private and the property of the owner of the vehicle. “We are GDPR-compliant, and that is our priority. The data belongs to our customers and they are the only ones who can release the data. But if the law changes, then we will change as well and adapt our policies,” said Olavarria. Modern cars already alert the emergency services in the event of a serious accident. And Hyundai recently revealed that it was working with MDGo, a company that specialises in medical artificial intelligence systems, to provide detailed predictions about likely injuries to vehicle occupants, based on the forces involved, deployment of airbags and more. Olavarria manages Seat’s new software development centre, which is leading research and development solutions around micro mobility on behalf of the Volkswagen Group. She defines micro mobility as being based on small vehicles, with two, three or four wheels, that will be used over short distances. “Looking into the future, there are many cities… that are trying to push the car out of the city centre but still there are mobility needs; people need to move from A to B. That’s what we are focused on,” said Olavarria. “As we are based in Barcelona, in the city centre, it’s kind of the perfect playground to test and make rapid prototyping in the real environment, and know about the city and mobility partners and better understand citizens’ needs and how mobility needs are changing.” Seat claims to be platform agnostic, exploring subscription services that could, in the future, allow for individuals to subscribe to a mobility service that is priced according to a monthly mileage that allows users to seamlessly switch from a car to public transport to electric scooter or autonomous vehicles. Olavarria is confident there will still be demand to sustain volume car manufacturing in the future, despite the millennial generation embracing shared transport solutions. James
Origin: Seat tech boss: it’s ‘possible’ to stop cars speeding for good
Autocar confidential: Seat phones it in, Hyundai-Kia tries some DIY and more
In this week’s edition of Autocar confidential, we hear why Hyundai and Kia are bringing interior production entirely in-house, what’s wrong with Jaguar XE sales and more. New Jag’s a sales drag Frustration over the comparatively low sales of the Jaguar XE continues to bubble among senior officials. Outgoing design chief Ian Callum called the situation “a source of great puzzlement”. Marketing director Anthony Bradbury believes the issue lies in persuading people to drive the car. He said: “We are also new to the sector and that means we are a choice that people have to explain.” Premium brand plugs in DS boss Yves Bonnefont says that, apart from the DS 7 Crossback, each new model – arriving once a year over the next six years – will be available with a 300bhp plug-in hybrid or pure-electric powertrain from launch. Bonnefont believes “a third of sales will be electrified by the early 2020s for DS” and thinks electrification fits very well with DS’s premium ambitions “because of its torque and refinement”. Seat gets down with the kids Seat owners are among the most frequent users of Android and Apple connectivity systems, claims its digital officer, Fabian Simmer. Seat is known for leading digital innovation in the Volkswagen Group, a strategy largely led by the fact that its customers are 10 years younger than those of other brands in the group. Hyundai-Kia’s homemade interiors Hyundai and Kia are unusual for making steel pressings, seats, lights and dashboard screens in-house. Design boss Luc Donckerwolke said the firm has now developed 3D printing of textiles that eliminates the need for a foam backing. “3D printing is a game changer. You can change a design every six months,” he
Origin: Autocar confidential: Seat phones it in, Hyundai-Kia tries some DIY and more
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