VW Group Launching SEAT Mii Minicar

MADRID –In Germany, it’s known as the Volkswagen Up! In Czech Republic, the Skoda Citigo. And in Spain, it’s the SEAT Mii.

SEAT’s “micro-urban” Mii.

The youngest of these “three little brothers” is the SEAT Mii, described by Volkswagen Group’s Spanish subsidiary as a micro-urban model. It succeeds the discontinued Arosa.

The Mii goes on sale in Spain late this year and will be exported elsewhere in Europe in the spring.

The minicar initially will be offered in Style and Style Sport versions, followed by the basic Reference and Style Chic models.

Weighing 1,880 lbs. (854 kg), the Mii is 11.6 ft. (3.56 m) long, 5.4 ft. (1.64 m) wide and has a 7.9-ft. (2.42-m) wheelbase. It will share two 1.0L gasoline engines, 60-hp and 75-hp (45- and 56-kW), with the Up! and Citigo.

SEAT says the 60-hp Mii’s top speed is 100 mph (160 km/h) and 106 mph (171 km/h) for the higher-powered version – although the maximum speed limit throughout Spain is 75 mph (120 km/h).

The announced fuel consumption is 52.3 mpg (4.5 L/100 km) and 50 mpg (4.7 L/100 km) for the 60-hp and 75-hp engines, respectively.

Also available will be an Ecomotive version of the Mii with start/stop battery technology that cuts fuel consumption to 56 mpg (4.2 L/100 km) with 97 g/km of carbon-dioxide emissions. A compressed-natural-gas engine trims CO2 emissions to 88 g/km.

The basic Mii includes antilock braking, electric-hydraulic assisted steering, front-seat airbags, airbags for the head and thorax and Isofix points for rear child-safety seats.

Equipment offerings are increased in other Mii versions as prices, starting at €8,690 ($11,870), increase.

The Mii is distinguished from its Up! and Citigo siblings by its front end, rear doors and rear-optics. Differences inside are minimal apart from the steering wheel and the feel of the plastic trims.