SEAT Mii City Car Revealed

After SKODA unveiled last week it’s Citigo, Seat unveiled today it’s reinterpretation of the Volkswagen Up! – the SEAT Mii city car.

The SEAT Mii comes to market at the end of 2011 as a three-door; the five-door version follows in 2012.

Spain, SEAT’s home market, will begin sales of the Mii before the end of the year, with the rest of Europe following in Spring 2012.

As the Volkswagen Up! and SKODA Citigo, the SEAT Mii is expected to cost just under £8000 (EUR 9300) in entry-level form.

The new SEAT will be offered with all-new 1.0-liter petrol engines of 60 PS and 75 PS outputs.  Combined with the vehicle’s low weight of 854 kg these guarantee nimble agility and exemplary efficiency.  The Mii Ecomotive has a CO2 figure of just 97 g/km.

Even though the Mii fits neatly into almost every parking space, its optimum use of space means it still offers plenty of space for four people.  With a volume of 251 liters, the Mii offers the largest luggage compartment in its class.  With the rear seat back folded, this increases to as much as 951 liters.

Characteristic and unmistakable – the Mii is clearly recognisable as a member of the SEAT family.  Its front end carries forward the typical arrow visual, while its profile is distinguished by powerful wheel arches and slender roof pillars.

The rear end shows a new form of light design with triangular lamp units.  The perfect proportions are a key element and comprise a width of 1.64 meters, a long wheelbase of 2.42 meters and exceptionally short overhangs front and rear.  The steep rear end facilitates the Mii’s excellent spaciousness – optimal functionality is particularly important in the super-compact segment.

A unique innovation in this class of vehicle is the SEAT Mii’s City Safety Assist.  In the event of danger the Mii warns its driver, or even brakes automatically.  A laser sensor recognises other vehicles in front, whether they are driving or stationary.  The system warns the driver when there is the imminent threat of an accident at speeds of less than 18 mph (30 km/h).  If he does not react, the Mii brakes automatically.  In many situations this is sufficient to avoid an accident altogether but will, at the very least, mitigate its consequences.  ESP is also available, and is always combined with City Safety Assist when specified.

Another unusual option is the Seat Portable System, a removable 5in multi-media device that can be use for navigation, as a hands-free phone and on-board computer and is integrated into the car’s audio system. It can be updated via the web and Seat is promising bespoke ‘Apps’ in the future.

Systematic lightweight design means that the base weight of the Mii is only 854 kg.  Its bodyshell is a piece of high technology formed largely from high-strength and, in places, form-hardened steels.  Thanks to exceptional stiffness, it delivers a high-quality feel and excellent passive safety.  The side airbags are standard equipment and are particularly large for optimum protection of head and upper body.

Beneath the short bonnet of the Mii is a completely new generation of engines.  The three-cylinder petrol powerplant with a one-litre displacement is very light, compact and smooth-running.  With two outputs of 60 PS or 75 PS, it ensures agility and compelling dynamics both in the city and on the open road.

Top speeds stand at 99 mph (160 km/h) and 106 mph (171 km/h) respectively, while fuel consumption on the combined cycle is measured at 4.5 and 4.7 liters per 100 kilometers.  With a generous 35-litre tank volume, it offers considerable range between fill-ups and long-lasting driving fun.

There are two Ecomotive versions of the Mii.  Thanks to a start/stop system, brake energy recuperation and further consumption-lowering initiatives, they make do with just 4.2 liters of fuel per 100 km, which equates to a CO2 figure of just 97 g/km.

In Continental Europe the little SEAT will also be offered with CNG engineering.  This lowers CO2 emissions to just 86 g/km, making the Mii one of the cleanest cars in the world.

Furthermore, as an alternative to a manual transmission, the Mii is also available with an automated manual box that boasts two electric motors to help manage the smooth gear change.