https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/seat/mii-electric/first-drives/seat-mii-electric-2019-review Seat Mii Electric 2019 review 12 November 2019 Rachel Burgess
[images https://www.autocar.co.uk/sites/autocar.co.uk/files/styles/gallery_slide/public/images/car-reviews/first-drives/legacy/seat-mii-7563.jpg?itok=IarVv0Q0 A welcome, affordable addition to the EV sphere that offers capability and comfort but lacks verve https://www.autocar.co.uk/sites/autocar.co.uk/files/styles/gallery_slide/public/images/car-reviews/first-drives/legacy/seat-mii-7570.jpg?itok=CUPHSasJ https://www.autocar.co.uk/sites/autocar.co.uk/files/styles/gallery_slide/public/images/car-reviews/first-drives/legacy/seat-mii-7565.jpg?itok=Cx7vyjSs https://www.autocar.co.uk/sites/autocar.co.uk/files/styles/gallery_slide/public/images/car-reviews/first-drives/legacy/seat-mii-7572.jpg?itok=kOPq0lyQ https://www.autocar.co.uk/sites/autocar.co.uk/files/styles/gallery_slide/public/images/car-reviews/first-drives/legacy/seat-mii-7576.jpg?itok=6dNrQAt1 ] FIRST DRIVE Seat Mii Electric 2019 review A welcome, affordable addition to the EV sphere that offers capability and comfort but lacks verve What is it? The new Mii Electric is Seat's first step into electrification before its bespoke EV, the el-Born, arrives next year. Of course, the Mii is a familiar car: the petrol-engined model went on sale in 2012 and has two very similar siblings, the Volkswagen Up and Skoda Citigo. But while Volkswagen launched an electric variant of the Up in 2013, Seat has waited until now for its zero-emissions city car. It’s now the only Mii available, after the conventional versions went out of production in May. It’s a bold yet wise move by Seat: with increasingly stringent emissions regulations and profit pressures, there’s little life left in city cars unless they’re electric. Of course, the longer-term health of the Mii Electric depends on broader strategic decisions by the Volkswagen Group. Signs are positive: Volkswagen has recently hinted there could be a future for an electric Up beyond 2023. Not only is the Mii Electric, well, electric, but it has also had a mini makeover, receiving 16in alloy wheels and illuminated badging on the back and sides. Inside, it sports a redesigned dashboard, heated, 'performance-inspired' seats and a leather steering wheel, handbrake and gear selector. As part of Seat’s bid to simplify its line-up, only one trim level is available; it includes metallic paint, lane-keeping assistance, fast-charging capability, heated seats and automatic windscreen wipers. What's it like? Most marked when you first get behind the wheel is the extra weight of the battery pack below the floor, which makes the electric model 306kg heavier than a standard Mii. It’s all the more noticeable in something so dinky as a city car, although not to the point where the heft is offensive to the modest driving dynamics of a small runaround. And, of course, there’s the added benefit of a low centre of gravity for handling. Despite a humble 82bhp motor, 156lb ft of torque means there’s plenty of punch in the Mii Electric; it can accelerate from 0-31mph in 3.9sec. Even at motorway speeds, it feels adequate and planted, belying its top speed of 81mph. But this is not a car built for motorways: it's aimed squarely at “those who spend the majority of their time traversing metropolitan and suburban streets,” says Seat. Unsurprising, then, that you’ll find the steering light and perfectly suited to urban escapades, although its vagueness is disappointing. It’s certainly not a trait unique to the Mii, but a bit more connection would be welcome. The other quibble of the Mii is its ride quality. Given that it targets town driving (typically ridden with speed bumps), it’s a little more fidgety and a little harder than feels suitable. Ultimately, the Mii Electric doesn’t inspire behind the wheel, but it is effortless and easy around town, which will be enough to satisfy the majority of owners. Inside, the model is comfortable, intuitive and spacious but showing its age. The updates over the now-defunct petrol Mii, such as the redesigned dashboard, don’t feel enough of a step forward to modernise it. Plastics are decent, but the absence of an infotainment screen and bespoke elements suited to an EV – such as special graphics to denote charge – are notable. We didn’t have a long enough drive in the Mii Electric to fairly judge its WLTP-certified range of 162 miles, but based on our varied route, this figures seems achievable. Seat says the car can be charged in around four hours to 80% capacity from a 7.2kW home wallbox or one hour from a 40kW public fast charger. Should I buy one? The Mii is a capable, comfortable city car, but even more compelling is its price. At £19,300 after the Government's £3500 plug-in grant, it’s one of the most affordable EVs on the market. It doesn’t have the street cred or snazzy specifications of the upcoming Honda E or Mini Electric, but it’s significantly cheaper and has a longer range. It still commands a massive premium over the price of a traditional Mii (nearly double the starting price), but if your intention is to go electric rather than consider petrol alternatives, it's a great place to begin. For urbanites happy to forgo gadgets and the cool factor, the Mii Electric should be high up the shopping list. Seat Mii Electric specification Where Madrid, Spain Price £19,300 (including government grant) On sale Now Engine Synchronous electric motor, front-mounted Power 82bhp Torque 156lb ft Gearbox Single-speed automatic Kerb weight 1235kg Top speed 81mph 0-62mph 12.3sec Battery capacity 36.8kWh Range 161 miles CO2 0g/km Rivals Volkswagen e-Up, Renault Zoe, Skoda Citigo-e iV [© autocar.co.uk] https://www.thesun.co.uk/motors/10361009/seat-mii-electric-nippy-eco-friendly/ IT'S ELECTRIFYING! Seat’s Mii Electric is wonderfully affordable, fun to drive and your kids will love it 16 Nov 2019 Nifty Seat Mii Electric is wonderfully affordable, fun to drive, and will keep your adult kids parked at home for good ... before she'd spend her cash on petrol, she plugs in the electric car at night like her phone — sucking up enough juice for a weekend ... 5seat dodgem that’ll carve through city traffic &park on a sixpence ... 0-62 in 12.3 ... not really suited for regular motorway speeds that eat up range quickly ... https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/NINTCHDBPICT000539836331.jpg + https://www.globalfleet.com/en/safety-environment/latin-america/features/peru-gears-electric-vehicles Peru gears up for electric vehicles 2019-11-19 To evolve into the world of electric vehicles (EV), it is essential that countries throughout South America overcome the challenges of costly vehicles, limited ... To evolve into the world of electric vehicles (EV), it is essential that countries throughout South America overcome the challenges of costly ... The ministry of economy and finance has also passed a decree which eliminates the ISC excise tax for those renewing their car parks with hybrids or EVs ... https://www.globalfleet.com/sites/default/files/electric_bus_engie.jpg For EVLN EV-newswire posts use: http://www.evdl.org/archive/ {brucedp.neocities.org} -- Sent from: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/ _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub ARCHIVE: http://www.evdl.org/archive/index.html INFO: http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org Please discuss EV drag racing at NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
