Seat Arona 'urban SUV' gets facelift 15 | 04 | 2021

    SEAT HAS GIVEN its Arona ‘urban SUV’ something of a tougher, rugged, midlife new look, and added new infotainment technology.  No prices have yet been confirmed for the updated car, but it’s due to arrive in the UK in the autumn.

    The updated Arona gets a tweaked front bumper with a larger lower intake and some new fog lamps mounted either side of the number plate. plus a new front grille. Out has also gone the original  black bumper trim from the car first launched in 2017, and replaced by silver alternatives. I’ll let you decide whether that’s a positive or a negative. (Related: Seat gives Ateca a facelift for 2020)

    Across the new Arona range, all cars get LED headlamps as standard. The SE and SE Technology trim levels get Eco LED units, while FR models and above are fitted with higher performance full LED units. At the rear of the baby SUV, there’s now a slightly reshaped spoiler, a new diffuser and a new two-tone Seat badge. (Related: Roadtest — Seat Tarraco 2.0TDI)

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    Inside the cabin, the there’s a completely new dashboard design. Out goes the original car’s central infotainment system, to be replaced by a larger display mounted on top of the dashboard. Standard fit is 8.25 inches, but this rises to 9.2in in the SE Technology models and above. On FR Sport and Xperience Lux models, the latter can also be paired with a new 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster. (Related: Cupa el-Born electric hot hatch)

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    The new technology also supports Seat Connect. This allows owners access to a range of connected services, such as real-time traffic information. It also pairs with a smartphone app, allowing the driver to remotely lock and unlock the car’s doors, check the vehicle’s fuel level and set speed alerts. (Related: Hot Ateca SUV launches new Cupra)

    And on those days when you can’t finder Arona in the busy car park, the app also comes with a function that activates the Arona’s horn and hazard lights.

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    As you would expect, there’s also new safety equipment across the new range, including a new side assist system that monitors the car’s surroundings and alerts the driver if a vehicle is in their blind spot. And on the  motorway, driver’s can take advantage of the new Travel Assist system — already seen elsewhere in the VW Group — which allows the Arona to take control of its own steering, throttle and brakes. Quite why you wouldn’t just control all three yourself, I have no idea. (Related: Seat confirms new Leon prices)

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    There are two further additions, Park Assist and traffic sign recognition. The latter displays the current speed limit on the dash and the former can automatically park the car for the driver. Always a clever toy for impressing the passengers.

    As for engines? Well it’s essentially the same as the current Arona range. The entry-level is powered by a turbocharged 94bhp, 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol delivering175Nm of torque. It’s mated to a five-speed manual ‘box as standard.

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    Next up is a detuned version of the old car’s 113bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol. Reduced to 108bhp and 200Nm of torque, buyers can choose from either a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic gearbox.

    The range-topper gets a 148bhp turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol delivering 250Nm of torque, and is available only with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

    Related: Roadtest — Seat Ibiza SE 1.0TSI

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    Jim McGill

     

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