L
Luke Wilkinson
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This is our first look at the facelifted SEAT Arona. The Spanish brand’s updated compact SUV will be unveiled in April this year, sporting a handful of revisions to help keep it competitive with the latest Nissan Juke and the newly facelifted Citroen C3 Aircross.
Due to the updates, SEAT should also increase the Arona’s prices, pushing the crossover’s entry figure up to £19,000. The current model has a starting price of £18,605.
Styling updates should bring the Arona’s styling into line with the rest of the newer SEAT range. There’s a new front bumper, which shares the same air intakes as the Cupra Formentor, as well as some updated headlamps that carry the Ateca’s triangular daytime running lights.
It’s a similar story at the rear. This camouflage test car features some fresh Ateca-inspired tail-lights and a tweaked rear bumper, which features a new skid plate and redesigned exhaust outlets. The facelift will be rounded off with an updated colour palette and some new alloys.
Interior revisions won’t be as extensive, limited to upholstery and trim choices. However, we expect SEAT will make the Arona’s trim levels a little more enticing, adding more equipment to lower and mid-spec models, such as the current FR Sport trim’s 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster.
It’s unlikely SEAT will alter the Arona’s engine line-up as all of its powertrains are still available in the Volkswagen T-Cross and the Skoda Kamiq, both of which share the same MQB A0 underpinnings.
Entry-level models will still be available with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, with either 94bhp or 113bhp. As with the current Arona line-up, diesel power won’t likely feature.
At the top of the Arona range, there’ll be the same 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine as found in the larger Ateca SUV and SEAT’s Leon family hatchback. It produces 148bhp and will come as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox.
There is also the possibility that SEAT could introduce 48-volt mild-hybrid technology with this facelift, borrowing the same 108bhp 1.0-litre eTSI engine from the VW Golf. The unit shares its architecture with the Arona’s current 1.0-litre engine so housing the mild-hybrid powertrain should be possible.
Now click here to read about the SEAT Tarraco’s new 242bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine…
Continue reading...
Due to the updates, SEAT should also increase the Arona’s prices, pushing the crossover’s entry figure up to £19,000. The current model has a starting price of £18,605.
Styling updates should bring the Arona’s styling into line with the rest of the newer SEAT range. There’s a new front bumper, which shares the same air intakes as the Cupra Formentor, as well as some updated headlamps that carry the Ateca’s triangular daytime running lights.
It’s a similar story at the rear. This camouflage test car features some fresh Ateca-inspired tail-lights and a tweaked rear bumper, which features a new skid plate and redesigned exhaust outlets. The facelift will be rounded off with an updated colour palette and some new alloys.
Interior revisions won’t be as extensive, limited to upholstery and trim choices. However, we expect SEAT will make the Arona’s trim levels a little more enticing, adding more equipment to lower and mid-spec models, such as the current FR Sport trim’s 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster.
It’s unlikely SEAT will alter the Arona’s engine line-up as all of its powertrains are still available in the Volkswagen T-Cross and the Skoda Kamiq, both of which share the same MQB A0 underpinnings.
Entry-level models will still be available with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, with either 94bhp or 113bhp. As with the current Arona line-up, diesel power won’t likely feature.
At the top of the Arona range, there’ll be the same 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine as found in the larger Ateca SUV and SEAT’s Leon family hatchback. It produces 148bhp and will come as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox.
There is also the possibility that SEAT could introduce 48-volt mild-hybrid technology with this facelift, borrowing the same 108bhp 1.0-litre eTSI engine from the VW Golf. The unit shares its architecture with the Arona’s current 1.0-litre engine so housing the mild-hybrid powertrain should be possible.
Now click here to read about the SEAT Tarraco’s new 242bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine…
Continue reading...