Diagnosed with an aggressive cancer of the right lung on my 58th birthday (14th July) So not really ...
Diagnosed with an aggressive cancer of the right lung on my 58th birthday (14th July) So not really in the humour for writing much at the moment, although I *WILL* be back before too long...Ken
Member since:06.12.2000
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Seat, the Spanish car manufacturer, have recently launched the new 2001 version of their very popular 1.0 litre Arosa. What has caused most stir in the motoring press has been its new ”look”, said to be very similar to a BMW in the design of the front lights and grille. They have seemingly “borrowed” from yet another luxury car for the rear view, where the light cluster is nearly identical to the baby Lexus, the IS200.
The brand new image has had significant imput from designer Walter de Silva, who has just moved to Seat from Alfa Romeo, where he was the chief stylist. Alfa’s big success story of recent times, the 156, was his work, and, so too, is the soon to be released Alfa 147. He has been hired by Seat to give the Spanish marque a more sporty and youthful image, in the style of his old employer in Italy.
The Arosa is the last Seat car to be revamped under its model renewal programme, that has already seen major changes to the Toledo, Ibiza, Cordoba, Leon and Alhambra. It arrives on the scene at a moment when Seat is just about to celebrate its 50th birthday as a car manufacturer. At one time the company was the Spanish arm of Fiat, and then became a State-owned concern for many years when Fiat pulled out in the 1980’s. The company is now wholly owned by Volkswagen, and its gigantic plant just outside Barcelona is also a large supplier of VW-badged vehicles.
The Arosa itself uses the same engine as the VW Lupo, but the 1.0 litre Seat retails at £8,590 (Irish Punts) which is considerably less than the Lupo at £9,360 (Irish Punts) The engines are in fact identical in every respect, and the cars are also a similar size. There are actually five engine options in the Arosa range. There is the 1.0 litre petrol, 50bhp version, two 1.4 litre petrol engines developing 60bhp and 100bhp respectively, and two diesels, a 1.4 and a 1.7 litre. (60bhp and 75bhp)
The 1.0 litre is an agile and nimble little car, ideal for urban motoring, but can get a tad “breathless” when put through its paces on a motorway. For open-road driving the 75bhp, 1.4 litre Tdi is a much better proposition. The 1.0 litre claims a top speed of 94mph and a 0 to 100km or 62mph speed of 17.4 seconds. What it lacks in acceleration it makes up for in economy, with an average return of around the 50mpg mark. Over 50% of the Arosa is either new or has been modified, and the car’s profile is also more aerodynamic with a Cd figure of 0.32.
The inside of the car has also been extensively reworked. There’s a more modern and functional dashboard layout with a variety of cubbyholes for storage. Softer plastics and a more pleasant textured upholstery are used, and it even has two hand card-holders and two cup-holders. Boot space is a bit cramped, but you almost expect that in what is basically a mini-car.
Everything considered, a stylish and economical car, cheap to insure, cheap to run, and at an extremely attractive and affordable price.
COPYRIGHT Ken J (2000)
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The Arosa is about the only small Seat I haven't owned lol I've had 2 Ibiza's and a Leon and been very impressed with all 3, would certainly recommend Seat;s on the whole
Dec 23rd, 2000
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