SEAT Readies Electric City Car

Volkswagen AG’s SEAT unit says it will begin production of its first electric vehicle, a variant of its Mii city car, this autumn at the company’s facility in Bratislava, Slovakia.

The new hatchback will be priced about the same as a conventionally powered vehicle in the segment, which SEAT says will make it one of the least expensive EVs available in Europe.

Linked to a single speed transmission, the car’s electric motor generates 82 hp and 156 lb-ft of torque. A 36.8-kWh lithium-ion battery will provide a 160-mile driving range on the WLTP test cycle, according to the carmaker.

The all-electric Mii also will be the first vehicle to feature SEAT’s Connect technology. The system allows customers to use a smartphone app to remotely access such vehicle information as location, charge status and driving data. Owners also can remotely start their vehicle, turn on the lights and control HVAC settings.

Following the new EV, SEAT plans to launch five other electrified vehicles by 2021. The lineup will consist of the el-Born EV and plug-in hybrid variants of the Cupra Formento, Cupra Leon, Leon and Tarraco. A production version of the tiny Minimo concept quadricycle also is in the works.