- Advanced technology, driving assistance systems and connectivity, the Arona is the perfect answer to drivers current demands
- The SEAT Arona offers many possibilities of customisation
- Exciting, robust and agile, the new SEAT Arona is yet another example of fresh, functional, comfortable and adventurous design
- The Arona stands out for its dynamic behaviour, its spacious and comfortable interior and for its range of low-consumption and efficient engines
- Amazon Alexa and the New Digital Cockpit in 2018
The compact crossover segment has increased four-fold in size since 2015. Without a doubt, it is the in-trend segment due to the cars’ versatility to be driven with agility and comfort on all types of terrain, both in the city and on the motorway, even on unsurfaced tracks. The new SEAT Arona, which made its debut at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt is the Spanish brand’s answer to this ever increasing demand in the market.
But this isn’t just SEAT’s first compact crossover. The new SEAT Arona is actually the Spanish brand’s third launch of 2017, following the upgraded Leon and the new Ibiza and represents another step forward in the biggest product offensive ever carried out by SEAT. The Ateca and the future large size SUV also feature in this product offensive and the latter will see the light of day in 2018. To be more precise, the new SEAT Arona fits fantastically within the SEAT SUV range as the little brother, as it combines the advantages of its compact dimensions for use in the city with its SUV qualities for use outside the city to go wherever the driver needs to go.
The new SEAT Arona is as much an stylish, spacious, practical and comfortable car for Monday to Friday as it is adventurous, robust, sporty, and efficient for use at the weekend. All of this together with the applied technology in terms of safety and connectivity that is only normally seen in higher segments of the market, with its undoubtably attractive SEAT design without forgetting to mention its almost infinite number of options for the customisation of the dynamism, refinement and sportiness of the Spanish brand.
The Arona, exclusively built in Martorell in the plant with the largest production volume in Spain, will be a key player in SEAT’s range, strengthening the brand and increasing sales.
“The SEAT Arona is another fundamental step in our strategy and in our product offensive. It’s the little brother within the SEAT SUV range and a model that will allow us to take a big leap forward in our presence in the European market,” said Luca de Meo, President of SEAT “We are convinced that 2018 will also be a good year for SEAT, especially thanks to our new product portfolio”.
Out of the ordinary
The new SEAT Arona, the second model after the SEAT Ibiza to be manufactured using the MQB A0 platform, stands out for many reasons thanks to its compact crossover dimensions, its spacious interior, its multitude of customisation possibilities and its advanced technology in safety and connectivity.
Far from being put into a specific category easily, the Arona is a lesson in versatility in itself. For its compact size, its modern design and the sense of safety and control that its elevated driver position offers, it is perfectly ready for day to day life in the city without forgetting to show its fun and adventurous side. With its added advantage of its bold crossover character, the Arona isn’t just any car but something much more.
The new SEAT Arona is designed for drivers looking for a sense of excitement, distinction and functionality. People who know that age is just a number, not an outlook on life. This is a car that fits their lifestyle, that works in both the city and the countryside, that is loaded with technology and that is comfortable, spacious, safe, dynamic, customisable, and all-purpose. It is a car that's easy to get in and out of, and if that weren't enough, a car in which your luggage can fit easily with no hassle whatsoever.
In terms of passive, active and preventive safety, the new SEAT Arona also marks a turning point in its segment. The Arona has many advanced driver assist systems at its disposal; systems that are common in superior segments such as Front Assist, Hill Hold control, Fatigue Detector, Rain and Headlight Sensors, Multi-Collision Brake without forgetting the possibility of adding Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Detection and its Park Assist system, which works for both parallel and bay parking and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop&Go function.
In terms of connectivity and comfort, we can find all the infotainment systems now well known and appreciated in other models of the SEAT range, such as Keyless Entry and Start System, precise and high-quality rear camera, premium 8” black panel touchscreen, wireless charger with GSM signal amplifier and BeatsAudioTM. The new SEAT Arona is of course a car that is completely connected thanks to its Apple Car Play, Android Auto and Mirror Link systems, without forgetting of course the SEAT DriveApp.
The new SEAT Arona will feature the new digital cockpit in 2018, offering a more modern versatile design, great functionality and all in all, a fantastic resolution. A part from that, turning to Amazon Alexa, the new SEAT Arona will integrate interactive voice service in 2018, developed by the well-known american company, while you are on the go.
“The new SEAT Arona certainly counts on technology, especially for those that demands connectivity and the most advanced driver assistance systems. No doubt the Arona is the perfect answer to current drivers demands in terms of dynamic behaviour, comfort, safety and technology. Once again, we are establishing new standards in the segment,” said Dr. Matthias Rabe, Executive Vice-President for Research & Development of SEAT.
Spacious, comfortable and safe
In terms of dimensions, the SEAT Arona is 4,138 mm in length, 1,780 mm in width and 1,543 mm tall. These are compact measurements, perfect to be the most agile to get around the city, to go on the motorway, in the countryside and at the same time, achieving a surprisingly spacious interior. Practical and comfortable at the same time, SEAT has paid special attention to the details that make life easier on the road, such as the driver oriented cockpit. However, it’s the exterior and interior space that make the difference. The new SEAT Arona doesn’t only offer better ground clearance to allow the driver to head off road, but also offers more interior space in the front as well as in the back. And the most impressive of all; the boot offers an impressive 400 litres of space, making it one of the best in its class. In other words, the new SEAT Arona has a larger boot than the current best selling models in the segment. A couple of practical details that stand out are that the boot has four metal hooks to hold a net and under the cover a double floor can be found. This cover ensures the surface is smooth when the rear seats are folded down.
Another important feature is the seat cushion, which offers two advantages: first, a higher driving position for a better view of traffic; and, second, it makes it much easier to get in and out of the car. Here it’s worth pointing out that in this area the new Arona outperforms competitors by giving the passengers a greater sense of space.
MQB A0 platform
The key to improving the cockpit and the car’s dynamic behaviour lies in the Volkswagen Group’s latest technology, the Modular Quer Baukasten platform. The MQB A0 platform allows for greater manufacturing flexibility, more robust implementation and different models with different bodies within the same segment. Different wheelbase configurations can also be achieved using the same platform base; as mentioned previously, the Arona’s wheelbase is 2 mm longer than that of the new Ibiza. SEAT has allocated 900 million euros to investments and R&D expenses on the new Ibiza and Arona. These investments were made partially in adopting assembly line 1 at the Martorell factory to incorporate the new MQB A0 platform, allowing SEAT to be the first company in the Volkswagen Group to utilise this technology.
The MQB A0 platform brings other advantages too when we take a look at the SEAT Arona. Weight, for example. The Arona is one of the lightest cars in its segment, which gives both better performance (with lower consumption) and above all, better dynamic behaviour. The Arona is agile, safe, stable, with great suspension, it brakes well, the power steering responds quickly and precisely. To sum up, it has superlative stability. One more detail to take into account is the XDS limited slip differential which comes as standard with all engines with 100 PS or more.
Comprehensive range
Like the Leon, Ateca and Ibiza, the new SEAT Arona offers Reference, Style, FR & Xcellence trims. With the first of these, the Reference, the Arona is a simple and intuitive compact crossover, affordable and comfortable but with equipment that has a special emphasis on safety. The wing mirrors, the roof rails, the front grille and door handles come in black, the backs of the rear seat fold down in asymmetrical sections in 60:40, exclusive upholstery, it comes with Isofix and Top Tether anchorages, the driver’s seat can be height adjusted, the dashboard comes in black, the head lights are halogen H7 with 16” steel wheels.
Functional, practical and comfortable, the Style trim comes with alloy wheels, fog lights, matching colour bodywork, air conditioning, multifunction steering wheel upholstered in leather -as well as the handbrake and gearstick-. As it can not be in any other way, it also comprises bluetooth connectivity and a dashboard finished in bluish grey color with chrome details.
The Xcellence and FR trims come at the same price level but each has its own distinct focus. The Xcellence trim has been created for the sophisticated customer that is looking for functionality, distinction and versatility, and also can be personalised with technological and refined extras. Moving onto the FR version that comes with a sportier, more dynamic look and a great performance to enjoy, fun at the wheel is the name of the game with everything focused on the driver. The Xcellence and FR versions have a lot of features in common of course. For example, LED day and driver lights, chromed roof rails and window frames, the glossy black B pillar, the bumper mouldings in silver, the dual-coloured (red and white) ambient indoor LED lights, the rear parking sensor, fatigue detection and cruise control; all come with both versions.
The exclusive upholstery or the 16” rims give a dash of elegant sophistication to the Xcellence version. The same occurs with the doorsill scuff plate and the front chrome grille. Inside, the details in white stand out, as well as the distinctive design of the console, the door panels moulding, the steering wheel and the dashboard. The icing on the cake is the keyless entry and start system (Kessy).
The FR trim comes with two suspension settings (normal and sport) and the SEAT Drive Profile; Normal, Sport, Eco and Individual. It also comes with rear disc brakes, exclusive 18” wheels for the FR, front grille and rear bumper specifically designed for the FR, sports seats and a black dashboard.
If what the Arona offers as standard across the four models isn’t enough, SEAT has an endless list of optional extras. But the best thing of all is that these options have been grouped into a series of ‘packs’ to make it easier for customers to personalise the new SEAT Arona.
Design, robust and exciting
The essence of the new SEAT Arona can be broken down into three concepts; lifestyle, technology and dynamism. This car is not only destined for those that consider age is just a number but also for those that put passion into everything they do and who live life to the full. An exciting crossover such as this meets and surpasses the expectations and needs of all kinds of families, with or without children, and also for those couples who want to enjoy their free time to the maximum when their children have flown the nest. Because this is a car that is fun to drive, dynamic, versatile, comfortable, spacious and comes with the latest, easy-to-use technology that is also a point worth noting thanks to a very competitive price. The Arona is the answer for the driver that is looking for and needs a safe, robust, exciting looking car with a distinct design.
The Arona bears some of the Ateca’s DNA; after all it is its smaller brother in SEAT’s SUV range, to which the biggest in the family will be added in 2018, the 7-seater SUV. The robust, frontal area of the Arona follows the same structure as the Ateca with a more distinct, pronounced three-dimensional look (without looking aggressive). Along the same lines, the placement of the number plate on the boot allows for a more robust bumper design and gives the care a more elevated appearance. And while the triangular headlights at the front of the car stand out and make the new Arona immediately recognisable, the doubled up tail lights give the car a wider look at the rear. The sharp blisters give a true impression of tension, that is certainly very carachterisic of the SEAT Design DNA.
Alejandro Mesonero Romanos, Design Director at SEAT, said, “We wanted to give the new SEAT Arona a distinct crossover character, for day to day life and for the urban jungle. That’s why we’ve given it bumpers, wheel arches and grey side skirts, as well as roof rails and protective parts with aluminium on the lower part of the bumpers.” All of which makes it look tougher and taller. The larger diameter wheels (665 mm) also help to make the car higher.
The Arona has been developed in Barcelona just like the new SEAT Ibiza. Another decisive step in the SEAT’s design evolution, this is a demonstration that the Spanish brand is one of the most dynamic organisations in the automobile industry. With beautiful proportions, a distinct character, a robust and agile look, the new SEAT Arona is yet another example in fresh, young, functional, adventurous and comfortable design offering at the same time the latest technology in terms of connectivity, comfort and safety. The interior keeps the brand’s DNA and a special emphasis has been put on improving real and perceived quality.
The new SEAT Arona is very expressive. The roof, as well as the roof rails, comes with line details that evoke the aesthetics of all-terrain vehicles. It has many aspects in common with the new language of design shown in SEAT’s recent car releases. But without a doubt, this car has its own personality. This is clear in its interior, which stands out not only in horizontal proportions that emphasise and enhance the car’s size, giving an even greater feel of roominess and space inside, but in its increased sophistication as well. Special care has been taken with the details to underscore the improvements made to the new SEAT Arona in terms of its perceived quality.
As well as these details, the High Console Concept also gives the console more prominence, which affects the safety and ergonomics, since every element is positioned such that the driver barely has to look away from the road while driving. The driver’s seat has been given particular attention, and all of the instruments are oriented toward the driver. Everything is within reach, allowing for easy adjustments and increased safety. The seats are more comfortable and provide a greater feeling of protection while holding the occupants in place more securely. The fabrics, shades and colours are exclusive to the new SEAT Arona, whose interior colours and trims offer many possibilities for personalisation, with the console, for example, being painted to match the dashboard.
In this regard, the ability to customise the Arona is very important. There has been a trend in customers demanding to be able to customise their vehicles to them. Colour-wise, the Arona is divided into two: the lower body, on the one hand, and the roof, plus the A and C pillars, on the other. Added to the colour palette for the bodywork is Eclipse Orange. The roof can be grey, black, orange or the same colour as the body. There are 68 possible colour combinations. Prominent on the C pillar is the X graphic engraved in the sheet metal to highlight the Arona's crossover look. While every model in the SEAT line-up has a dynamic, versatile, technological and sporty character, the Arona maintains all of those features but has a more spacious interior and a wider range of possible uses.
The engines, total efficiency
All of the engines available in the New SEAT Arona range have direct injection, a turbo-compressor, and feature an automatic start&stop system. There are three different petrol engines to choose from, all with aluminium blocks. The first is the 3-cylinder, 1.0 TSI 95 PS, which is linked to a five-speed manual gearbox. Next we have this same engine but in a 115 PS version, which comes with a six-speed manual gearbox or the dual-clutch seven-speed DSG transmission. In the first launch phase of the new SEAT Arona, three variants will be available (1.0 TSI 95 PS, 115 PS manual and with DSG). The 95 PS version can reach a top speed of 173 km/h and accelerates from 0 - 100 km/h in just 11.6 seconds. With a maximum torque of 175 Nm available between 2,000 and 3,500 rpm, this engine performs with a surprisingly high level of dynamism thanks to its low weight (1,165 kg with driver) and some gearbox adjustments to achieve a fantastic balance between performance, consumption and emissions. In fact, the average consumption remains as low as 4,9 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of just 112g/km.
Regarding the two 115 PS variants, both can reach a top speed of 182 km/h with the manual slightly quicker to go from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.8 seconds, while the DSG version achieves this in 10 seconds. Just like the 95 PS, the 1.0 TSI 115 PS with double clutch and 7-speed DSG puts out just 114 g/km and consumes only 5 l per 100 km. The manual boasts slightly better figures, with 113-114 g/km of CO2 and an average consumption of between 4.9 and 5 litres per 100 km. The maximum torque of both 115 PS versions is 200 Nm which is available between 2,000 and 3,500 rpm. This way, the engine gets an excellent and smooth response at low engine speeds enabling a more pleasant driving experience.
Further down the line, we will see the arrival of the third petrol engine; the new four-cylinder, 1.5 TSI EVO 150 PS with active cylinder disconnection technology, which is exclusive to the FR trim and is connected to a six-speed manual gearbox. It is little surprise, if not pleasantly surprising that with this engine, the Arona will boast an average consumption of just 5.1 litres per 100 km with CO2 emissions at 115 g/km. (Values for the 1.5 TSI EVO 150 PS are still preliminary)
As for diesel options, the efficient and reliable 1.6 TDI will be available with 95 and 115 PS. The 95 PS version can be paired with a five-speed manual transmission or the seven-speed DSG, and the 115 PS with a six-speed gearbox. Finally, in mid-2018 the 1.0 TSI 90 PS engine, powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), will make its way into the Arona range. SEAT is the first manufacturer to offer an engine of this type in this class of compact crossover. Also, for certain overseas markets, a 110 PS 1.6 MPI engine with a manual and automatic gearbox will also be offered.
SEAT is experiencing some of its best times as a company, in the first eight months of the year, SEAT has sold more than 315,000 cars, which represents an increase of more nearly 14% compared to the same period last year. This is the best result since 2001.
The increase in sales in 2017 is reflected in SEAT’s financial results from the first half of the year. Operating profit went up by 40.9% in the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2016, reaching a record figure of 130 million euros. At the same time, turnover went up by 12.7% to stand at 5.05 billion euros in the first six months of the year.