Seat has extended its CNG-powered family beyond the
Mii, Ibiza and Leon with the new Arona TGI. Set to premiere at the 2018 Paris
Auto Show next week, it’s described as “the first SUV worldwide to be equipped
with a compressed natural gas powertrain”.
Power comes from a 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine
rated at 90 PS and 160 Nm of torque. It works in
conjunction with a six-speed manual transmission and allows the subcompact
crossover to complete the 0-100 km/h acceleration in 12.8 seconds,
and hit a top speed of 172 km/h.
The total range of the car in CNG mode is 400 km, and the automatic switch to petrol that happens when the gas tanks
are empty gives it another 160 km. SEAT says the three CNG tanks are
located under a specific rear floor pan, and the filler cap is located next to
the petrol one.
Controlling the gas distribution to the TGI engine
are stainless steel gas pipes, gas pressure sensors and electronic pressure
regulator. The CNG-powered version of the Arona automatically starts the engine
with petrol when the exterior temperature falls below -10C (14F). Subsequently,
the system starts a heating process for the gas injectors, and when conditions
allow it, the CNG circuit is being activated.
The 2019 Arona TGI will be available in the
Reference, Style, Xcellence and FR trim levels, with customers having to choose
between 68 possible color combinations.
