Everything we know about the SEAT Minimo quadricycle in 2021 [Update]

The SEAT Minimo concept was launched with much fanfare at the Mobile World Congress back in 2019. Here’s what we know about the quadricycle two years later:

Release Date

While SEAT has not spoken much about the production model since the unveil, it seems that the spurt in the popularity of quadricycles and last-mile vehicles due to the throes of the pandemic presents an opportunity like never before for the Minimo and that 2022 could be the year when we finally see it on the roads.

According to a report from 2019 by Autocar UK, the design head of SEAT, Alejandro Mesonero, had said that the production version of the SEAT Minimo concept was in the works, and the launch would be in 2021. The micro all-electric city car will retain the design of the concept model, save for the fact that it will use more cost-effective materials. However, SEAT is yet to provide an update regarding the arrival of the Minimo. Besides, the Covid pandemic has affected product programs, and new introductions have seen delays across the world due to the ongoing semiconductor chip shortage.

SEAT Minimo design

With the Minimo, SEAT promises the best of both worlds, that of a car and a motorcycle. It has a capacity of accommodating two passengers, and with a length of 2.5 meters and a width of 1.24 meters, it covers a footprint of just half of a conventional hatchback. It rides on 17-inch wheels and comes with a few interesting visual bits like a single headlight and asymmetrical doors which open upwards.

SEAT Minimo features

The SEAT Minimo concept is equipped with many cool traits like built-in 5G technology and a digital access key. The 2-in-1 screen behind the steering wheel serves the purpose of both instrument console and infotainment system, with features like wireless Android Auto and Google Assistant allowing the user to manage various tasks and control media with their voice.

SEAT Minimo electric quadricycle front
The two-seater Minimo concept rides on 17-inch wheels and comes with a single headlight. Image courtesy: SEAT

The concept is intelligent enough to recognize whether the driver is 16 or 18 years old and can adjust the top speed up to 45 km/h and 90 km/h, though the production version may miss some tricks. Another forbidden feature would be the Level 4 autonomous driving system, which allows the Minimo concept to pick up the user from the desired location.

Specifications

The SEAT Minimo concept comes with a 15 kWh battery pack coupled to an electric motor, which gives the vehicle a maximum driving range of about 100 km (62 miles). While SEAT claims that the battery can be charged in a few minutes (the charging options were not disclosed during the presentation), the Minimo concept comes with the battery pack under its floor, which can be removed and replaced with another charged battery pack in a matter of seconds.

SEAT’s micro-mobility plans

While Luca De Meo was the president of SEAT (he has since moved to Renault), SEAT believed that 60 per cent of the usage of electric vehicles falls under micro-mobility (commutes shorter than 10 km), and this is the segment that has a high potential with products like the Minimo.

It was then stated that the SEAT Minimo will form the base for all the future micro-mobility vehicles from Volkswagen Group in all the international markets. Given the restrictions of traffic in urban driving setup in future, the Minimo offers itself as a perfect solution for car-sharing companies.

SEAT Minimo interior
The Minimo has built-in 5G technology that provides a digital user experience using the ‘Digital Access’ key and wireless Android Auto where users would not have to connect their device via a cable or socket. Image: SEAT

SEAT has introduced an electric scooter and kick scooter under the SEAT MO Urban Mobility division in a few European markets this year. It is also in talks with city councils to get the nerve of their requirements and views on micro-mobility. The insights of the public authorities, as well as the feedback of users of existing quadricycles like the Citroen Ami, Renault Twizy and the upcoming Renault Duo, would play an important part in the development of the production Minimo.

The development of the project will also see support from SEAT’s own software house in Barcelona, in sync with the IT software development centres of Volkswagen Group. Named as Seat:Code, this software house was inaugurated in Barcelona in July 2020 and has already developed a mobility platform that underpins the SEAT Mo eScooter.

SEAT Minimo to be a restyled Silence S04?

Barcelona-based startup company Silence unveiled a new electric micro car (quadricycle) called S04 in October 2021. Chances are that the production SEAT Minimo would be the same model with a few changes. It won’t be the first time SEAT launches a reskinned Silence EV. The SEAT MO eScooter 125 is a rebadged Silence S01. Similarly, the SEAT MO eKickScooter 65 is a rehashed Silence S02. However, note that SEAT has not issued on the update on the Minimo or rebranding the Silence S04.

Silence S04 nanocar quadricycle
The production SEAT Minimo could turn out to be a reskinned Silence S04 (pictured). Image: Silence

The Silence S04 measures 2.33 metres in length and 1.56 metres in width. It will be available in two variants, namely L6e and L7e. The S04 L6e will have a 6 kW (8 bhp) motor and a 45 km/h (28 mph) top speed. It will pack a 5.6 kWh battery. The L7e will have a more powerful, 14 kW (19 hp) motor, and its top speed will also be much higher – 90 km/h (56 mph). It will have two 5.6 kWh batteries that together provide a generous WMTC range of 149 km (93 miles).

Featured image: SEAT