Seat marks its entry into the entry-level compact crossover segment with the all-new Arona. Revealed at a special event in Barcelona, the Arona joins the Ateca in the Spanish carmaker’s growing SUV line-up. Based on the same MQB A0 platform as the Ibiza, the crossover will make its debut at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show.
The Arona carries the carmaker’s familiar family face and looks like a proper cross between the Ibiza and Ateca. A pair of sharp, triangular, LED headlights dominates the front with Seat grille and large air intakes. It sports faux skid plates both fore and aft, and roof rails with body cladding to give it that rugged crossover appearance. The contrasting roof paired with stylish alloy wheels adds character. The Arona is 79mm longer than the Ibiza and boasts a healthy luggage capacity of 400 litres. Headroom is higher by 37mm and the crossover rides 52mm higher than the Ibiza. Seat asserts that the Arona can be had in 68 different colour combinations.
The interior is functional as all Seat vehicles go, with an all-black treatment. The centre console is slightly tilted towards the driver and the cabin can be had with contrasting inserts as well to add a little appeal to otherwise simple interiors. The eight-inch infotainment system is equipped with smartphone connectivity and also comes with wireless phone charging facility. The Arona comes with several driving aids such as adaptive cruise control, hill hold control, tiredness recognition system, multi-collision braking, keyless entry and start system and reverse camera while rear traffic alert, blind spot detection and park assistance system come as optional fitments.
Engine wise, there are three petrol and one diesel engine options to choose from; all shared within the VW family. The 1.0-litre three cylinder TSI is available with two outputs - 93bhp and 113bhp and comes mated to either five-speed manual or DSG. Apart from these, there is a 1.5-litre TSI engine producing 148bhp which gets a six-speed manual with cylinder deactivation technology. The oil burner, on the other hand, is a 1.6-litre TDI in two states of tune – 95bhp and 115bhp. A 1.0-litre TGI unit is expected to be offered later as well while a potent Cupra variant is also on the cards.
The Martorell-based carmaker is on its biggest ever product offensive with its third product launch this year after the updated Leon and Ibiza. The carmaker will add another full-size SUV above the Ateca in the coming years. The Arona enters into a fray with the likes of Nissan Juke, Renault Captur, Peugeot 2008 and the recently introduced Hyundai Kona and Kia Stonic. It will sit alongside the India-bound Skoda Karoq in the Volkswagen Group’s SUV portfolio.
