Body style: Hatchback
Segment: Mini
Production years: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
In 2000, the Spanish automaker SEAT had to refresh its smallest vehicle, the Arosa, for the 2001 model year and according to the Euro 3 emission standards, which became mandatory for all vehicles starting in January 2001.
Volkswagen Group understood the power of badge engineering and made two almost identical vehicles: the own-branded Volkswagen Lupo and the SEAT Arosa. Both cars have been built in the Spanish automaker’s factory at Martorell and exported all over Europe and in UK. While at first, it wasn’t such a tremendous success, later, these vehicles became appealing for those who needed a supermini car for the urban commute thanks to their excellent fuel efficiency. SEAT even tried to create a sportier version of this version and unveiled the Arosa Racer concept at the 2001 Frankfurt Motor Show but never introduced it in production.
The 2001 Arosa went through a significant upgrade in terms of styling. Its front fascia featured new headlights with taller outer sides, clear lenses, dual headlamps, and turn signals behind it. These fronted the fresh grille that followed the carmaker’s design language and showed a center-mounted badge inside a body-colored rectangular trim. Furthermore, the bumper sported a lower apron fitted with tiny fog lamps on their outer sides, offered as an option. Along with the bumper and the grille, SEAT also had to redesign the hood, which featured two creases extended from the badge towards the windshield.
From its profile, the redesigned front fenders featured new, clear lens turn signals. Depending on the grade and options, the Arosa got either steel wheels with plastic caps or alloy wheels. Its body-colored door mirror caps became available for a wider range of versions, and the formerly used black rubber side stripes were replaced with body-colored ones. Finally, at the back, the flat and vertical tailgate was reshaped to accommodate the new corner-mounted taillights. The car’s bumper was also new and, for the sportiest version, featured a center-mounted exhaust.
Still, the most significant upgrade happened on the inside, where SEAT completely changed the cabin. It introduced a new dashboard with a rounded-shaped instrument cluster instead of the squarish-looking one used in the 1997 model year. Furthermore, on the center stack, the Arosa got a new stereo and a cleaner layout for buttons and switches. Another improvement was for the front seats, which were improved with higher bolstered areas (available at extra cost). In the back, there was nothing SEAT could do to improve the Arosa and upgrade the materials used there.
Under the hood, SEAT offered the Arosa with a range of five engines fed by gasoline or diesel. Power ranged between 50 PS (49 hp) and 101 PS (99 hp). Besides the 60 PS (59 hp) 1.4-liter spark-ignited version, which was also available with a four-speed automatic, all the other versions sent their power to the front wheels via a five-speed manual.
ENGINE SPECS - 1.0L 5MT FWD (50 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 999 cm3 |
Power: | 37 KW @ 5200 RPM 50 HP @ 5200 RPM 50 BHP @ 5200 RPM |
Torque: | 63 lb-ft @ 3000 RPM 86 Nm @ 3000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 9 gallons (34.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 93.8 mph (151 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 17.7 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 155/70 TR13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 139.8 in (3551 mm) |
Width: | 64.6 in (1641 mm) |
Height: | 57.5 in (1461 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 54.7/55.1 in (1,389/1,400 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 91.3 in (2319 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.6 in (117 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 4.6 cuFT (130 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 1940.1 lbs (880 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 2998.3 lbs (1360 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 30.1 mpg US (7.8 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 50 mpg US (4.7 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 40.5 mpg US (5.8 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 139 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.4L 16V 5MT FWD (100 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1390 cm3 |
Power: | 74 KW @ 6000 RPM 101 HP @ 6000 RPM 99 BHP @ 6000 RPM |
Torque: | 94 lb-ft @ 4400 RPM 128 Nm @ 4400 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 9 gallons (34.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 116.8 mph (188 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 10 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 195/45 R15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 139.7 in (3548 mm) |
Width: | 64.6 in (1641 mm) |
Height: | 57.5 in (1461 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 54.7/55.1 in (1,389/1,400 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 91.3 in (2319 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.6 in (117 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 4.6 cuFT (130 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2030.4 lbs (921 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3108.5 lbs (1410 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 25.3 mpg US (9.3 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 46.1 mpg US (5.1 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 35.6 mpg US (6.6 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 158 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.4L 4AT FWD (60 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1390 cm3 |
Power: | 44 KW @ 4700 RPM 60 HP @ 4700 RPM 59 BHP @ 4700 RPM |
Torque: | 86 lb-ft @ 3000 RPM 116 Nm @ 3000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 9 gallons (34.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 97 mph (156 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 16.4 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 155/70 TR13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 139.8 in (3551 mm) |
Width: | 64.6 in (1641 mm) |
Height: | 57.5 in (1461 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 54.7/55.1 in (1,389/1,400 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 91.3 in (2319 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.6 in (117 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 4.6 cuFT (130 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 1993 lbs (904 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3120 lbs (1415 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 23.8 mpg US (9.9 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 39.2 mpg US (6 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 31.8 mpg US (7.4 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 178 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.4L 5MT FWD (60 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1390 cm3 |
Power: | 44 KW @ 4700 RPM 60 HP @ 4700 RPM 59 BHP @ 4700 RPM |
Torque: | 86 lb-ft @ 3000 RPM 116 Nm @ 3000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 9 gallons (34.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 99.4 mph (160 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 14.2 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 155/70 TR13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 139.8 in (3551 mm) |
Width: | 64.6 in (1641 mm) |
Height: | 57.5 in (1461 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 54.7/55.1 in (1,389/1,400 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 91.3 in (2319 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.6 in (117 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 4.6 cuFT (130 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 1926.8 lbs (874 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3086.5 lbs (1400 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 28.3 mpg US (8.3 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 48 mpg US (4.9 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 38.5 mpg US (6.1 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 146 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.4L TDI 5MT FWD (75 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L3 |
Displacement: | 1422 cm3 |
Power: | 55 KW @ 4000 RPM 75 HP @ 4000 RPM 74 BHP @ 4000 RPM |
Torque: | 144 lb-ft @ 2200 RPM 195 Nm @ 2200 RPM |
Fuel System: | Turbocharged Direct Injection |
Fuel: | Diesel |
Fuel capacity: | 9 gallons (34.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 105.6 mph (170 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 12.1 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 185/55 R14 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 139.8 in (3551 mm) |
Width: | 64.6 in (1641 mm) |
Height: | 57.5 in (1461 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 54.7/55.1 in (1,389/1,400 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 91.3 in (2319 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.6 in (117 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 4.6 cuFT (130 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2072.3 lbs (940 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3185.7 lbs (1445 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 42 mpg US (5.6 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 67.2 mpg US (3.5 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 54.7 mpg US (4.3 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 116 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.7L SDI 5MT FWD (60 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1716 cm3 |
Power: | 44 KW @ 4200 RPM 60 HP @ 4200 RPM 59 BHP @ 4200 RPM |
Torque: | 85 lb-ft @ 2200 RPM 115 Nm @ 2200 RPM |
Fuel System: | Direct Injection |
Fuel: | Diesel |
Fuel capacity: | 9 gallons (34.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 97.6 mph (157 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 16.6 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 175/65 TR13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 139.8 in (3551 mm) |
Width: | 64.6 in (1641 mm) |
Height: | 57.5 in (1461 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 54.7/55.1 in (1,389/1,400 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 91.3 in (2319 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 4.6 in (117 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 4.6 cuFT (130 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2105.4 lbs (955 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3174.6 lbs (1440 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 39.9 mpg US (5.9 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 65.3 mpg US (3.6 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 53.5 mpg US (4.4 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 119 g/km |