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 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.
