The plan is ambitious but is already underway: by 2021 between SEAT and CUPRA the goal is to launch six new plug-in electric and hybrid models, the small one being mii electric the first model of this “offensive”.
The arrival of the first electric model from SEAT is synonymous with the disappearance of the combustion engine versions of the Mii, the Spanish city (in a similar measure to what Smart did with the fortwo and forfour).
Available in two levels of equipment — Mii electric and Mii electric Plus — and five option packs, the first electric model from SEAT is expected to arrive in Portugal in the first half of next year, and its prices are not yet known.
What has changed?
Compared to the Mii with a combustion engine, the Mii electric is… practically the same. On the outside, the differences are limited to 16” wheels, rear-view mirrors with integrated turn signals and the “electric” inscription on the tailgate and on the side.
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Inside, the novelties consist of the application of IML sheet (printing in the mold), which gives a more colorful look to the interior, and ambient light. The materials are hard (you couldn't ask for more from a city dweller either) but the assembly is robust.
As for space, placing the batteries under the floor allowed us to maintain the levels of habitability. The trunk (which has a double floor) continues to offer 251 l of capacity and the legroom for the rear passengers depends (a lot) on the height of the driver and passenger.
As far as ergonomics are concerned, it is in a good plan, with the ventilation and radio controls appearing almost all grouped in a small cluster placed in the center console. As for the infotainment system, we leave its evaluation for another “chapter”.
Connected? Ever!
In addition to electrification, the small Mii electric brings another first to the SEAT range, being the brand's first 100% connected model and the first to feature the SEAT Connect system that allows remote access and management of the vehicle (you can know where it is parked, adjust the air conditioning or control the charging process, all via a smartphone).
Speaking of smartphones, this is the one that plays the role of the infotainment system's screen, and it is through it that we access, for example, navigation (through the DriveMii app).
This may even be a market trend, but personally, after this first contact it doesn't seem to be the best solution, as the smartphone screen is always too small, and due to its position, the reflections are more than many.
At the wheel of the Mii electric
In this first contact, we had the opportunity to test the Mii electric on a mixed route that combined (a lot of) highway, national road and, as expected, city traffic.
Despite weighing 300 kg more than the Mii with a combustion engine, the Mii electric maintained the agility that we already knew to the Spanish city dweller (and their “cousins” from Skoda and Volkswagen), with the direction proving to be direct. and with a good weight.
The 83 hp (61 kW) and 212 Nm of the electric motor are more than enough to make the Mii electric a good travel companion (even when leaving the city limits). The maximum speed is 130 km/h and the 0 to 100 km/h is fulfilled in 12.3s.
With three driving modes (“Normal”, “Eco” and “Eco+”) and four energy regeneration modes, the 250 km of autonomy that SEAT announces seemed to be possible to achieve, and for that it is necessary to have some contention on the right foot.
Speaking of autonomy management, SEAT announces energy consumption between 14.4 and 14.9 kWh/100 km. Although we have confirmed these values (it is even possible to achieve less while driving very calmly), the truth is that in a carefree driving, consumption is more in the region of 16 kWh/100 km.
And the loading?
With a capacity of 32.3 kWh, the batteries of the Mii electric (which are air-cooled) can be charged in three different ways: in a quick charger, in a wallbox or in a household socket.
On the DC fast charger, resetting to 80% capacity takes one hour; charging takes about four hours for a 7.2 kW Wallbox or public payphone and, finally, for a 2.3 kW domestic outlet with alternating current (AC) charging time is between 13 and 16 hours.
Also regarding charging, as standard, the Mii electric only brings cables for charging in a Wallbox or on the public network, and the cables that allow charging at home or fast charging are sold, respectively, with the optional Home Charge and Fast (the latter also implies a software change).
Conclusion
After seven years on the market (the original Mii appeared in 2012), the Mii electric appears like an oxygen balloon for a city dweller who would otherwise have, most likely, his days numbered (just see that Fiat, the segment leader chronicle A, prepares to abandon it).
Compared to the version with combustion engine that replaced the Mii electric, little or nothing has changed, apart from having received an electric motor, and the truth is that this works in its favor.
For if it already presented itself as a very competitive proposal among city dwellers, electrification only increased this competitiveness, with the Spanish citizen maintaining the qualities that were recognized for him (such as robustness or competent dynamics) adding to the economy. typical that electric models offer.
Now, just wait for us to know the price of the new Mii electric to see if it will be really competitive in the market. For now, we know that, in Germany, it will be available on a 36-month and 10 000 km lease that will cost around 145 €/month (no down payment).