Seat has taken on its smaller models Ibiza and Arona. Visually, only details have changed. The drives also remain the same. But there is more technology and more chic in the interior.
Seat has given its technically closely related series Ibiza and Arona a facelift. Only a few details of the exterior optics have been changed, but the interior and the infotainment technology of the facelift variants available from summer have been extensively upgraded.
The only thing that catches the eye on the four-year-old Ibiza is a new brand logo and a new model lettering. LED lights are now part of the general standard equipment, and new rim designs are also available. The same applies to the Arona, which thanks to some changes to the front and rear aprons is also more robust than before. A striking innovation are the round fog lights in the front apron.
Inside, however, much more has happened, something the product manager responsible for both series, Anna Martinez, is particularly proud of. “We didn't just add a few new details, we redesigned the dashboard.” New soft-touch materials in the dashboard, as well as the nappa leather multifunction steering wheel and new fabric covers for the seats conveyed more quality in the modernized workplace. The new round ventilation nozzles, which are even illuminated in the higher-quality equipment, are a highlight. Depending on the respective equipment level, the ambience is loosened up with various new color accents.
Martinez mentions the two large color displays as another highlight. As before, there is a digital instrument cluster with a diameter of 10,25 inches for Ibiza and Arona. The central infotainment touchscreen has grown, however. It is available as standard with a 8,25 inch diameter or optionally with a 9,2 inch diameter. In addition, both screens have been positioned higher on one level and thus move closer to the driver's field of vision. With Seat Connect and an integrated SIM card, the user of both series can remotely contact the vehicle at any time with the appropriate smartphone app and have the current location displayed, for example. The smartphone can also be connected to the on-board system. Another innovation is natural speech recognition and the optional audio system from Beats.
The range of electronic helpers has been upgraded. If the Travel Package is ordered, cruise control and the new lane departure warning system enable automated driving on the motorway at speeds up to 210 km / h. Traffic sign recognition and high beam assistant are also new.
With the drives, however, nothing has changed. Diesel are still not available. Electrification of the drives is ruled out due to the platform shared by Ibiza and Arona with VW Polo and T-Cross, said Martinez. In this respect, the Ibiza remains with four three- and four-cylinder petrol engines in the power range from 59 kW / 80 PS to 110 kW / 150 PS. This also includes the 66 kW / 90 PS natural gas version TGI, which is also available for the Arona. For the small SUV, there is an alternative choice of three petrol engines with 70 kW / 95 PS to 110 kW / 150 PS. Combinations with manual or DSG gearboxes can be selected in both series.
Seat has not yet announced prices, but they will almost certainly increase slightly. Probably the Ibiza should start at around 16.000 euros, the basic Arona at over 18.000 euros.