First Look: Seat Exeo Sport Tourer

• The sedan is available in the dealerships
• The family size version will be out before the summer
• SEAT returns to the B segment in a big way

Having unveiled the SEAT Exeo at the Paris Motor Show last October, the company's sporty sedan is going on sale in the Spanish market, and is positioned as one of the most technologically advanced models of its category with an extremely competitive price range.

Coinciding with a return to the B segment, the Spanish brand is also presenting a family size version of the new model, with both examples combining luxury, comfort and roominess with the traditional sporty philosophy that characterises all the SEAT models.

The family size version of the new Exeo, called Exeo ST, will go on sale before next summer with an engine range and equipment list that is identical to the for-door model. The only differences will be a longer body, at 4.666 metres in length, and a boot capacity of 442 litres.

Both versions will be manufactured at the brand's factory in Martorell near Barcelona.The new SEAT Exeo is already in the dealershipsThe SEAT Exeo can be found in the dealership network with an initial offer including three petrol engines - the 102 hp 1.6, 150 hp 1.8 and 200 hp 2.0 TSI, and two Diesel versions - the 143 and the 170 hp 2.0 equipped with the DPF particulate filter and common rail technology for the first time. The entire range is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox and complies with the stringent EU5 emissions legislation that becomes effective in 2011. The SEAT Exeo is available in three trim levels - Reference, Style and Sport.

The company's new sedan is available with a range of 14 body colours and six interior trim levels to choose from. The entry-level Reference version features seven airbags as standard, with two additional rear seat thorax airbags optionally available across the entire range. The Reference version also features as standard dual zone climate control, ABS + TCS, ESP with EBA emergency braking, 16 inch steel rims, trip computer, front and rear power windows, heated electric door mirrors, foglights, remote controlled central locking, CD radio with MP3, aux-in and four speakers, and Isofix anchoring points on the front passenger seat and rear window seats with the additional Top Tether, among others. For those looking for more, the Style and Sport versions are equipped with even more standard elements.

The Style versions build on Reference equipment with the following elements: height adjustabe passenger seat, front seats with lumbar control, speed control, lighting package, smoker's package, parking position door mirrors, rear parking sensor, rain sensing wipers, automatic lights on, anti-dazzle rear-view mirror, acoustic windscreen, grey anti-glare stripe on windscreen, Coming Home, front/rear armrest with compartment + 2 cupholders,
chrome window frames + shiny B/C pillars + aluminium inserts on inside door sills, drinks cooler in glove compartment, leather steering wheel and gearknob, floor mats, steering wheel controls, 4 additional speakers, volumetric alarm with tilt sensor, low tyre pressure warning and 205/55 tyres on 16" alloy rims.

The Sport version builds on Reference with dark glass, sport seats, height adjustable passenger seat, front seats with lumbar support, speed control, front/rear armrest with compartment + 2 cupholders, smoker's package, leather steering wheel and gearknob, steering wheel controls, 4 additional speakers, volumetric alarm with tilt sensor, low tyre pressure warning and 225/45 tyres on 17" alloy rims.Complete list of optional equipmentThe SEAT Exeo features a long list of optional equipment that significantly increases onboard comfort and safety.

The Spanish brand's new sedan comes with such interesting options as the special Convenience (on Reference), Style Plus (on Style) and Sport Plus (on Sport) packages. The first one features multi-function steering wheel, cruise control, Bluetooth, passenger floor mat, manual driver and passenger seat height adjustment and front central armrest, while the second includes 17 inch light alloy rims, interior wood inserts, dual xenon headlights + AFS, headlight washers, daytime driving lights with assistant, Coming Home and Bluetooth.

The Sport Plus package is a cut above with 18 inch light alloy rims, dual xenon headlights + AFS, daytime driving lights, Bluetooth and electrical package 1, which features park position door mirrors, rear parking sensor, rain sensing wipers, automatic lights on, anti-dazzle rear-view mirror, acoustic protection windscreen, grey anti-glare windscreen stripe and Coming Home.

Besides the above-mentioned electrical package 1 (available as standard on Style and as an option on Reference and Sport), the electrical package 3 is available on Style and Sport and includes front parking sensor, air quality sensor, remote boot opening, electric rear sun shade and colour instrument panel screen.

The storage package is also available on the Exeo on all three trim levels, featuring storage drawers beneath the front seats, a storage net on the right side, as well as a ski bag, a 12 volt socket in the boot and hooks for carrying bags.

Prices on the new SEAT Exeo range from 21,990 € on the entry-level 102 hp 1.6 petrol engine Reference version to 28,450 € on the 170 hp 2.0 CR Diesel Style model.