Report: Seat to Launch Four New Models in 2012 including a Four-Door Sedan

VW's Spanish subsidiary is expecting a 10 percent rise in sales this year and aims further growth in 2012, when it will launch four new models. According to CEO James Muir, new products such as the Ibiza ST and the Alhambra will boost Seat sales in 2011.

"We want to increase our 340,000 unit sales from last year – by 8 to 10 percent – thanks to existing models. We aim to sell 45,000 units of the Ibiza ST (station wagon) this year. And the Alhambra already is well above plan so we expect a full-year volume of 20,000 units. This proves that our brand is gaining strength," Muir was quoted as saying by Autonews Europe.

For 2012, the company has even bigger plans, fueled by the launch of four new models. "We will launch four new cars: the new Leon, a totally new entry-level model, a four-door sedan and a major Ibiza facelift," said Muir, who was appointed head of Seat in 2009.

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Seat Adds Exeo 143HP 2.0-liter Diesel Engine with Multitronic CVT Transmission to the Mix

The Seat Exeo is essentially a previous generation Audi A4 with some “auto emocion” touches here and there. However, having an older platform doesn’t mean that it’s a bad car, especially when it comes with the VW Group’s latest powerplants and transmissions. The Multitronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) gearbox is one of them and now it has been paired with the 143HP 2.0-liter TDI diesel engine available on both the Exeo sedan and station wagon (ST) models.

Although it comes with 7 pre-configured gears, the CVT transmission can virtually provide infinite gear ratios, better exploiting the engine’s resources, while reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

In terms of performance, the diesel-powered sedan accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 9.3 seconds and can reach a top speed of 208 km/h (129 mph). The station wagon is marginally slower (0-100 kmh/0-62 mph in 9.6 seconds, top speed of 201 km/h or 125 mph), but both versions are equally frugal, requiring 5.8 lt/100 km (40.5 US mpg) in the combined cycle.

The Seat Exeo and Exeo ST equipped with the 143-horsepower diesel and Multitronic gearbox come as standard with seven airbags, dual-zone air conditioning, front and rear power windows, foglights, chrome roof rails (on the Exeo ST), remote-controlled central locking, cruise control, Bluetooth, auto-dimming rear view mirror, CD MP3 radio with 8 speakers and 17-inch alloys.

Besides the transmission addition, Seat says that all new Exeos benefit from a repositioned the rear seat configuration, which increases legroom by an impressive 4.4 cm (1.73 inches) without affecting the comfort or cargo space.

The new version of the German-sourced Spanish sedan is available for sale in Europe.

New Seat Exeo Sport Tourer Breaks Cover

Having unveiled the sedan version of its rebadged previous-gen Audi A4 at the Paris Motor Show last October, SEAT is moving ahead with the presentation of the station-wagon variant of the Exeo that will make its global premiere in Geneva. Called Exeo ST that stands for Sport Tourer, the SEAT-branded A4 Avant will go on sale accros Europe 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 meters in length, and a boot capacity of 442 liters.

The Exeo ST's initial range will include three petrol engines – VW Group's undying 102HP 1.6-liter, a 150HP 1.8-liter turbo and the 200HP 2.0 TSI, and two diesel versions – the 143HP and the 170HP 2.0-liter equipped with the DPF particulate filter and common rail technology. The entire range is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox and complies with the stringent EU5 emissions legislation that becomes effective in 2011. Like the sedan, the Exeo ST is available in three trim levels, Reference, Style and Sport.

Video: SEAT Exeo Sport Tourer 3D Renderings

Volkswagen Group's Spanish subsidiary SEAT has released a new teaser video of the Exeo Sport Tourer which, as we informed you in a previous post, will be revealed at the Geneva Show in March. With the Exeo Sport Tourer the firm's German bosses are giving the previous Audi A4 Avant a second chance in life as the differences between the two models are limited to a few styling adjustments on the front and rear end of the car.

Like the sedan variant, the Exeo Sport Tourer will be launched with three 4-cylinder petrol-engines ranging a 102 HP 1.6-liter unit to a 2.0-liter TFSI producing 200 HP and three common rail Diesel engines with outputs ranging from 120 HP to 170 HP.