The European car market is getting one more B-segment crossover. The all-new vehicle comes from Volkswagen Group yet with the Spanish accent and will be introduced later this year. According to the carmaker, the car will be named the 2018 SEAT Arona. Basically, this will be just a little bit lifted Ibiza and nothing else, but it will become very popular at short notice without any doubt.
We haven’t seen any production-ready prototype so far, but the automaker plays with the camouflaged models all the time, which gives us an idea of what direction will develop the tiny crossover. Volkswagen already works on the Polo-based crossover, so essentially the 2018 Arona will be the more handsome twin brother. Both subcompacts will ride on the highly flexible MQB platform. Of course, these two will also share engines. We expect to see a 1.0-liter TSI turbocharged gasoline direct injection unit with 110 horsepower, a 1.4-liter TSI and a 1.8-liter TSI, as well as several oil-burners, possibly 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter TDI mills. The engines will be mated to manual and DSG transmissions, as well as a standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel-drive.
The 2018 SEAT Arona will compete against the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur, so the carmaker might make it in the same manner. The crossover will get Ibiza’s new details, but the outlines will show the bulkier body. Both, the shoulders and bumpers will be pretty massive and more alike to the new Ateca, but the headlights and taillights will be Ibiza-based. Inside, the all-new crossover will get SEAT’s distinctive look and plenty of technologies. The automaker will definitely add some connectivity options like Android Auto and Apple Car Play.
SEAT’s third SUV got its name after a place in the southern part of the island of Tenerife. Since the automaker plans to introduce the new generation Ibiza this March at the next Geneva auto show, you won’t see the 2018 Arona before the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show in September.