Seat Mii electric will have range of 161.5 miles

Seat has released details about its first electric vehicle (EV), the Seat Mii, which paves the way for more EVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) from the manufacturer.

The Mii will be followed by the all-electric Seat el-Born, plug-in hybrid versions of Leon, and high-performance plug-in hybrid versions of Cupra Formentor and Cupra Leon.

Production of internal combustion engine Mii will close in July, while pricing for the Mii electric will be announced in the autumn in time for order opening.

“The market is changing, and electrification is expanding at an unprecedented rate,” said Seat president Luca de Meo. “In Europe, the electric vehicle market grew by 46% in the first 4 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.”

Mii electric will help prepare Seat’s dealer network for the expanding electrified market and the challenges it will bring, making the transition for customers moving to electric vehicles seamless, it said.

The Mii electric’s exterior is refreshed with the introduction of electric lettering at the rear, electric stickers on the side and 16-inch alloy wheels in matte Cosmo Grey.

Inside, delicate changes include a new dashboard, ambient lighting, sporty and heated seats, black sport leather steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake.

In addition, the Mii electric inlcudes safety technologies such as Lane Assist and Traffic sign recognition as standard equipment. But the greatest transformation comes under the bonnet.

The Mii electric’s motor, linked to a single speed transmission, provides its 61kW (83PS) of power and 212Nm of torque instantly, meaning the five-door car can reach 31mph (50km/h) from a standstill in only 3.9 seconds. And the car’s 36.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack, provides up to 161.5 miles (260km) of range from a single charge based on the WLTP test cycle.

Axel Andorff, executive vice-president for research and development at Seat, said: “The Seat Mii electric combines every attribute customers expect from the brand: fun to drive, performance and acceleration, but sprinkles added qualities on top: silence, low cost of ownership and even greater levels of connectivity.”

The all-electric city car is the first model to include Seat Connect, giving remote access and management of the vehicle. Customers can review driving data, parking position, the vehicle’s status, including doors and lights, and the ability to control air-conditioning remotely, all from their smartphone app.

Staying true to the Seat UK’s Easymove strategy, standard equipment for the Mii electric includes metallic paint, sports seats, LED daytime running lights, cruise control, rear parking sensors and fast DC charging capabilities. There will be a choice of five colours: Deep Black, Candy White, Tornado Red, Chester Blue and Tungsten Silver.

The firm’s first production all-electric vehicle is targeted at both private customers and fleets, those who spend the majority of their time traversing metropolitan and suburban streets, and see the benefit of zero emissions, but don’t want to surrender driver engagement when they’re behind the steering wheel, it said.

Seat Mii electric production will begin in Bratislava (Slovakia) in Q4 2019, with market introduction in Q1 2020.

Technical data

Motor: Max. power 61kW (83PS)

Max. torque 212Nm

Battery: Lithium-ion

Capacity 36.8kWh

Charge time at AC 7.2kW to 80%, ~4 hours

Charge time at DC 40kW to 80%, 1 hour

Range: 161.5 miles (260km WLTP)

Performance:

Acceleration, 0-31 mph (0-50km/h) in 3.9 seconds

Top speed, 80.7mph (130km/h)