Seat Ibiza Facelift Debuts Ahead of 2012 Geneva Motor Show

Some three years after Seat launched the fourth-generation of its Ibiza series, the Spanish subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group announced a mid-life facelift for its supermini that will receive its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show this March.

The update concerns all body styles including the three-door SC to the five-door hatchback and the ST station wagon.

On the outside, the Ibiza gains a new face inspired from the company's recent concept cars like the IBE Coupe, IBX small crossover and IBL sedan.

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Seat Mii【Video】

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SEAT has unveiled the Mii minicar this is the Spanish company’s version of the Volkswagen Up!-based Citigo and skeptics bashed the first leaked image, Seat has its own Latin variant which will be a new entry-level model for the brand - the first minicar in the vehicle range since the Arosa (which was based on the VW Lupo) was discontinued back in 2005.

The Mii measures just 3550mm long with a boot volume of 251 litres and will be initially sold as a three door until the availability of a five door model later in 2012.

Power comes from a 1.0-litre engine in either 60PS or 75PS forms, and thanks to a low weight of 854kg it should be sprightly and nimble. The cleanest example, called the Mii Ecomotive, will be capable of covering 62.8mpg on the combined cycle and will emit 97g/km of CO2, making it free to tax and exempt from the London Congestion Charge. Both manual and automated manual transmission will be available.

The interior features all the body-colour panels of the VW too, and SEAT again offers the Mii with a ‘SEAT Portable System’ infotainment device. This is based around a five-inch removable touchscreen that includes sat nav, hands-free phone and onboard computer.

The Mii will launch in three-door form later this year, with a five-door variant joining the line-up after first debuting in Volkswagen Up! form next year.


　


Press Release

THE PERFECT COMPANION FOR URBAN MOBILITY

SEAT Mii - the sporty city car with a youthful design

• Premium interior with great scope for individualization
• SEAT Portable System infotainment computer with Eco-trainer
• Innovative City Safety Assist with laser sensor
• Mii Ecomotive with just 97 grams of CO2/km
• CNG version is one of the world's cleanest vehicles
• Sales start in Spain in November; rest of Europe in Spring 2012

With the Mii, SEAT is presenting the perfect automobile for the urban lifestyle of today. The Mii makes life easier - with compelling utility, exceptional driving fun, high efficiency and innovative technology. The Mii combines SEAT's sporty Mediterranean design with the very best craftsmanship and enormous scope for individualization. Moreover, the outstanding value-for-money and reasonable maintenance costs make the joy of driving a Mii easily attainable - also typical SEAT. Spain, SEAT's home market, will begin sales of Mii before the end of the year, with the rest of Europe following in Spring 2012.

At a length of 3,56 meters, the Mii is the perfect size for modern-day urban spaces. The Mii comes to market at the end of 2011 as a two-door; the four-door version follows in 2012. The all-new 1.0-litre petrol engines with 44 and 55 kW (60 and 75 hp) combine with the low weight of 854 kilograms to guarantee light-footed agility and exemplary efficiency. The Mii Ecomotive has a CO2 figure of just 97 grams per kilometre. The Mii is also a leader when it comes to innovative technologies. The City Safety Assist for instance, adds an extra dimension of safety in the city, while the SEAT Portable System brings together entertainment, navigation, phone and vehicle functions in previously unheard-of fashion.

"The new Mii is the perfect partner for everyday urban life. It is young and fresh, thought through to the very last detail and built to the finest quality. The Mii brings clear SEAT identity to the sub-compact segment and is set to win a significant share of the market," says James Muir, President of SEAT, S.A. "This is why the Mii is an important addition to the SEAT portfolio and a clear next step in our company strategy. With the Mii, we are starting the most comprehensive model offensive in SEAT history."

The package - perfect for the city, but also for longer journeys

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

Yet the Mii doesn't stop at the city boundaries. Its spaciousness, excellent comfort levels and sporty dynamics - also thanks to its low weight - also make the Mii a compelling companion over longer distances.

"At just 3.56 metres long, the Mii combines innovative technologies with an incredibly well-balanced overall feel," says Dr. Matthias Rabe, SEAT Vice President for Research and Development. "With its low weight and modern drives, the Mii is both sporty and efficient at the same time. It also offers comfort, spacious interior dimensions and a level of safety normally found in larger classes of car."

Design - Mediterranean modernity with clear character

Characteristic and unmistakable - from the very first glance, the Mii is clearly recognisable as a member of the SEAT family. Its front end carries forward the typical arrow visual, while its side line 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 are made up of the width of 1.64 metres, the long wheelbase of 2.42 metres and unusually short overhangs front and rear. The steep rear end facilitates the Mii's exceptional spaciousness - optimal functionality is particularly important in the super-compact segment.

"The Mii breathes the very spirit of its remarkable hometown, Barcelona," says Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos, the new Head of SEAT Design. "It is modern, it has a strong personality, but isn't loud. The Mii has the feel of a modern yet timeless product design. Every detail is precisely defined, but with not a line too many. With the Mii, we are making sporty chic and design quality attainable for all."

Modern clarity and compelling functionality are defining aspects of the interior, too. The perfect ergonomics of the instruments and the control elements fit beautifully with the premium surfaces that can be individualized using coloured trim from the various equipment lines. Its seats are also new - with integrated head restraints, they possess sports car flair, while being very comfortable and well-suited to long-distance driving.

Safety - the Mii looks ahead and brakes for itself

A unique innovation in this class of vehicle is the City Safety Assist - in the event of danger, the Mii warns its driver or even brakes automatically. A laser sensor recognizes other vehicles in front, whether they are driving or stationery. The system warns the driver under threat of an accident at less than 30 km/h. If he/she does not react, the Mii brakes autonomously. In many situations this is sufficient to avoid an accident altogether and will, at the very least, mitigate its consequences. A perfectly matched ESP system is also available and is always combined with City Safety Assist when specified.

Systematic lightweight design means that the base weight of the Mii is only 854 kilograms. Its bodyshell is a piece of hi-tech, 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.

Drive - sporty agility with low fuel consumption

Beneath the short bonnet of the Mii is a completely new generation of engines. The compact three-cylinder with a one-litre displacement is very light, compact and smooth-running. With two outputs of 44 and 55 kW (60 and 75 hp), it ensures light-footed agility and compelling dynamics, and not just in city traffic.

Due to its top speed of 160 and 171 km/h, its fuel consumption is just 4.5 and 4.7 litres per 100 kilometres. With a 35-litre tank volume, it offers generous range and long-lasting driving fun - at very low maintenance costs.

The most notable efficiency experts are the two Ecomotive versions of the Mii. Thanks to a start/stop system, recuperation and further consumption-lowering initiatives, they make do with just 4.2 litres, which equates to a CO2 figure of just 97 grams/km. The little SEAT with the later available CNG drive emits a mere 86 grams of CO2/km, making the Mii one of the cleanest cars in the world. As an alternative to a manual transmission, the Mii is also available with an automated manual box, with two electric motors managing the smooth gear change.

Infotainment - unique tool aids efficient driving

SEAT is a young brand - the unique SEAT Portable System is, of course, part of that. The innovative solution with a 5-inch screen is removable for mobile use and yet perfectly integrated into the vehicle electronics. Its many functions include the navigation system, the hands-free phone system with voice control and an on-board computer. The PID can be combined with the integrated radio and speaker system.

"The Mii offers enormous intelligence in a compact format," says Dr. Matthias Rabe, SEAT Vice President for Research and Development. "The SEAT Portable System shows how it is possible to offer fascinating technology and innovative functions with tangible added value at an attractive price."

The unique functions of the SEAT Portable System include the Eco-trainer. Shift display, engine speed recommendations, average values and consumption profile all help the Mii owner to drive particularly economically. Plus, the SEAT Portable System is fully integrated into the vehicle electronics. It can be kept up-to-date via internet download, while tailor-made apps will offer additional functions in future.

Equipment - sporty chic or chic sportiness

With three equipment lines, two Style Packs and a wide array of optional equipment and accessories, the Mii can be adapted perfectly to suit individual lifestyles and preferences. Even the base model has all the key elements for safety and urban driving fun, such as ABS, an adjustable steering column, side airbags and Isofix points with Top Tether. Reference and Style are the names of the two other equipment lines, with Style offering features like power windows and central locking.

Would you prefer more chic or more sporting character in your Mii? The two equipment packages Chic and Sport offer the choice, with special colour and trim elements for interior individualization. Alloy wheels and a leather steering wheel are always part of the package - the chrome package in the Chic version adds a special touch, while the Sport version offers tinted windows and a sporty suspension setup for an even more dynamic feel.

SEAT is the only company in its sector with the full-range capacity to design, develop, manufacture and market cars in Spain. A member of the Volkswagen Group, the multinational has its headquarters in Martorell (Barcelona), exporting approximately 75% of its production to 72 countries. SEAT is the market leader in Spain, and in 2010 reached a turnover amounting to 4.7 billion Euros, with total sales of 339,500 vehicles.

SEAT Group employs 13,000 professionals at its three production centres in Barcelona - Zona Franca, El Prat de Llobregat and Martorell, where it manufactures the highly successful Ibiza and Leon, amongst other models. The Volkswagen Group production facility at Palmela in Portugal supplies the SEAT Alhambra.

The Spanish multinational also has a Technical Center, a ‘knowledge hub' bringing together more than 900 engineers whose goal is to be the driving force behind innovation for the number one industrial investor in R&D+i in Spain. In line with its declared commitment to environmental protection, SEAT undertakes and bases its core activity on sustainability, namely reduction of CO2 emissions, energy efficiency, as well as recycling and re-using of resources.

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Seat to Launch in China in 2012, will be at the Shanghai Auto Show

As part of the VW Group’s strategy to expand its brands into new markets, the German automaker will bring Seat to the Shanghai Auto Show (April 21-28, 2011) offering Chinese buyers their first taste of the Spanish firm’s cars before sales begin with the Leon and Ibiza models in 2012. Read more »

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Report: Seat to Launch Four New Models in 2012 including a Four-Door Sedan

VW's Spanish subsidiary is expecting a 10 percent rise in sales this year and aims further growth in 2012, when it will launch four new models. According to CEO James Muir, new products such as the Ibiza ST and the Alhambra will boost Seat sales in 2011.

"We want to increase our 340,000 unit sales from last year – by 8 to 10 percent – thanks to existing models. We aim to sell 45,000 units of the Ibiza ST (station wagon) this year. And the Alhambra already is well above plan so we expect a full-year volume of 20,000 units. This proves that our brand is gaining strength," Muir was quoted as saying by Autonews Europe.

For 2012, the company has even bigger plans, fueled by the launch of four new models. "We will launch four new cars: the new Leon, a totally new entry-level model, a four-door sedan and a major Ibiza facelift," said Muir, who was appointed head of Seat in 2009.

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Geneva Preshow: Seat IBX Small Crossover Study Hints at Production Model

This is the new Seat IBX, a concept study for a three-door small crossover that will be officially unwrapped at the Geneva Motor Show this week. The IBX appears to be a follow up on Seat's 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show Tribu concept, which never managed to reach production. This time, however, the Spanish subsidiary of the VW Group says the IBX demonstrates "a possible expansion of the SEAT product portfolio".

Like the Tribu, the IBX has also been penned by Seat's Chief Designer of former Lamborghini fame, Luc Donckerwolke. “The IBX was created from the gene pool of our next vehicle generation. This design DNA will have a profound impact on every one of our models,” said Donckerwolke. “And, with this urban sports utility vehicle, we are proving that with our design, our sporty pedigree and our youthful character, we can also create a vehicle concept that is unique among SUVs.”

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SEAT Adds 4WD Option to Alhambra Minivan

The VW Sharan's Spanish sibling is now more worthy of the “multi-purpose” label as SEAT has presented a new variant with a permanent all-wheel drive system for the Alhambra. The new model benefits from the latest-generation of VW's 4x4 system, electronically controlled and set up for improved driving dynamics. Read more »

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Marchionne gets Nasty, Tells VW Boss Piech to go and Fix SEAT Instead of Eyeing Alfa Romeo

Speaking at the J.D. Power and Associates International Automotive Round-table in San Francisco, Fiat Group and Chrysler LLC CEO Sergio Marchionne bluntly reiterated that the Italians won’t sell Alfa Romeo to the Volkswagen Group, or anyone else for that matter.

“As long as I am CEO of Chrysler and Fiat, Mr. Piech will never have Alfa Romeo. It's hands-off. I told him. I will call him and I will email him”, Marchionne said.

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VW Group to Display Up to Seven Concepts at the Geneva Show

It seems that the VW Group will do just about anything to become the world’s biggest automaker by 2018. After announcing a €51.6 billion (US $70.3 billion) investment plan last November, the Germans also want to showcase their future intentions at the Geneva Motor Show in March, by displaying up to seven concepts.

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Seat Adds Exeo 143HP 2.0-liter Diesel Engine with Multitronic CVT Transmission to the Mix

The Seat Exeo is essentially a previous generation Audi A4 with some “auto emocion” touches here and there. However, having an older platform doesn’t mean that it’s a bad car, especially when it comes with the VW Group’s latest powerplants and transmissions. The Multitronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) gearbox is one of them and now it has been paired with the 143HP 2.0-liter TDI diesel engine available on both the Exeo sedan and station wagon (ST) models.

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Foreign Automakers Review Relationships with Tunisian Partners, which...”happen” to be Relatives of the Ousted President

The looting of the Ferrari 599 GTB owned by former Tunisian president Zein al-Abidine Ben Ali and the smashing of cars owned by his relatives including a Ferrari California may have been eye-catching in an offbeat sort of way, but there are more important automotive-related stories coming out from Tunisia.

It has been reported by several news agencies that Tunisians are also destroying random vehicles made by Kia, Fiat, Porsche and other makers. The reason? Because the companies that distribute them are controlled by members of the ruling family. Now, in light of all the latest developments, many international automakers are reviewing their business ties to the extended family of Zein al-Abidine Ben Ali, according to the Financial Times.

The daily newspaper said that up until now, the country's car market, which totaled just under 60,000 units in 2010, was heavily regulated by its trade ministry that favored importers controlled one way or another by relatives of the former president or his wife, Leila Trabelsi.

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VIDEO: Driver Tries and Fails Spectacularly to Park

For years the debate has raged over unintended acceleration. Is it the result of a design defect or is it simply driver error? Well, this video put forward for the case of the latter as one driver's attempt to park goes horribly, hilariously wrong. Watch the white car entering from the top right at approximately 6 seconds in. Everything seems normal up until 23 seconds, when suddenly...

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Redesigned Seat Altea Minivan Drawings Real?

After the 2011 Ford Explorer sketch (fake), 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL 63 AMG picture (real) and the Volvo S60 Coupe-Convertible photo (fake), we now have yet another group of images of an alleged future model out in the open. This time it's a set of drawings of the Leon/Golf/Octavia/TT/A3 etc. etc. based Seat Altea / Altea XL minivan.

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Seat Announces Sporty Looking Ibiza SC Sport Limited Edition

Seat has announced the availability of a new special edition version of its three-door Ibiza SC (Sports Coupe) for the German market. The Ibiza SC Sport Limited comes in a Lamborghini-like "Lumina Orange" finish and only with the not-so sporty 105HP 1.6-liter petrol engine. The production run will be limited to 300 cars.

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New Seat Exeo Tech Models with Additional Goodies

Seat is upgrading its Exeo (yes, that's the Spanish-ized version of the previous Audi A4) lineup in Britain with the introduction of two new trim levels called SE Tech and Sport Tech.

Available to order now with first deliveries to take place in the UK this summer, the Tech versions are said to add a total of £3,270 worth of extra equipment £3,270 for just £875 over the price of the standard SE and Sport models.

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Volkswagen Group to Buy Italdesign Giugiaro?

Volkswagen's master plan is all about numbers. Being the biggest, baddest automaker out there. That's why it isn't any surprise to hear that Volkswagen might be bringing Italdesign Giugiaro under its wing (nothing is official yet).

An acquisition would be another major part of VW's world takeover scheme, assisting with the goal selling 10 million vehicles in 2018. Its ten brands intend to release sixty new or updated models this year, so more designers and engineers are needed.

Now is far from the first time that VW and Giugiaro have worked together. The Italian design house has helped create a variety of cars for those aforementioned ten brands.

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Seat Shows Ibiza Sports Tourer Bocanegra at Wörthersee 2010, Keeps Details to Itself

Spanish automaker Seat took part in the Volkswagen Group fest around lake Wörthersee from May 12 to 15 with an array of production and racing cars. The highlights of the Seat brand included an Ibiza ST (Sports Tourer) with an extensive package of accessories and a brand new Ibiza ST with the aggressive black fascia of the Ibiza Bocanegra.

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The Girls of the 2010 Wörthersee GTI-Fest

From what we gather, most of you seem to enjoy photos of young ladies posing in front of cars, so we assembled a gallery of some of these "booth babes" to give you a taste of what the brands of the VW Group had in store for those that attended this year's edition of the Wörthersee GTI festival in Austria. Follow the jump to check out the photos, most of which are wallpaper sized when clicked.

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Skoda Plant to Produce VW Group's New 1.2 TSI Turbo Petrol Engine

In celebration of the 110th anniversary of engine building at its Mladá Boleslav plant in the Czech Republic, Skoda has announced that it will manufacture the VW Group's latest generation 1.2-liter TSI gasoline engine. The new four-cylinder power unit features both direct fuel injection and turbocharging technology delivering an output of 105HP at 5,000 rpm and 175Nm (129 lb-ft) of peak torque available between 1,500 and 3,500 rpm.

It can be combined with either a six-speed manual transmission or the VW Group's 7-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission.

"This brand new TSI engine provides a unique opportunity of combining environmental friendliness with a well-balanced driving performance," says Skoda Auto BOD Chairman Reinhard Jung. "With substantially lower CO2 figures, this new engine needs to be seen as a contribution to a significant reduction of average emission volumes in our cars."

The new powerplant makes its Skoda debut in the new Yeti compact SUV, and is also offered in various Audi, Volkswagen and Seat vehicles.

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JE Design Turns the Wick Up on the 2010 SEAT Leon FR TSI and TDI

The tuning specialists over at JE Design are planning to debut their 2010 Seat Leon FR at this month's Essen Motor Show in Germany. The performance package includes upgrades for both the TSI gasoline and TDI diesel versions of the Spanish hatchback. In its latest form, the 2.0-liter TSI petrol engine delivers 211HP and 280Nm of torque. With JE Design's engine kit that's priced at €1,499, the TSI's output is lifted to 270HP and 335Nm reducing the Leon FR's zero to 100km/h (62mph) sprint time from 7.1 to 6.2 seconds.

The 170HP 2.0-liter diesel engine's gets a nudge to 204HP and 380Nm of torque. This extra muscle helps cut 0-100km/h acceleration from 8.2 to 7.6 seconds. The price for this kit is €1,339 Euros and also includes VAT, assembly and warranty.

The tuner shop offers a set of lowering springs (€159) to bring the car 35mm closer to the ground while there's also an adjustable coilover suspension (€979) that allows the driver to drop the vehicle's height between 15mm and 40mm. A set of 19-inch multispoke alloy wheels shod in 225/35R 19 rubber priced at €2,930 complete the performance tweaks.

For the exterior, JE Design offers a bevy of upgrades including headlamp covers (€89), LED daytime running lights (€299) and its aerodynamics package that comprises of a front spoiler (€279), side skirts (€299), rear apron (€299) and the centre diffuser attachment (€99) plus a four-pipe muffler system (€899) and a pair of Lamborghini-style scissor doors (€1,499).

Finally, the interior can be modded with a leather treatment for the seats, door linings and the centre armrest (€1,599), a two-stage seat heating function (€379) and even a massage system with twelve programmes for the front seats (€429).

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