2012 SEAT Exeo revealed ahead of Frankfurt debut

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By Brett Davis | August 26th, 2011

The 2012 SEAT Exeo has been revealed ahead of the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, showcasing very Audi-esque-like proportions, an all-new face with new LED-encrusted headlights and a freshened up interior.

The 2012 SEAT Exeo, under parent company Volkswagen, is based on the B6 Audi A4 sharing similar overall structural shapes and dimensions. The 2012 version features a new honeycomb grille and a more upmarket headlight design with LED daytime running lights and bi-xenon lamps.

The 2012 SEAT Exeo will come with a range of 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine options producing between 88kW and 103kW. These engine have been improved to provide further efficiency over the outgoing range with the help of stop/start technology. SEAT says fuel economy will be rated “below” the current 5.2L/100kmh rating, while emissions will be rated at 129gm of CO2/km.

Other changes include the introduction of a new CVT transmission which offers both conventional continuously variable transmission mode and a sporty sequential-shifting mode via paddles behind the steering wheel.

Trim levels will range from turbo-diesel variants and to a sporty petrol variant with power figures ranging from 88kW to 155kW. Full details will be released at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show next month. SEAT UK managing director Peter Wyhinny recently said,

“With this great new look and impressive engineering changes I’m sure the Exeo will draw the crowds to both our Frankfurt show stand and, in due course, our UK dealerships.”

Feel free to tell us what you think of the new SEAT Exeo in the comments section below. Would you be interested in a cheaper Audi A4 in the form of a SEAT Exeo if it were available here in Australia?

wsnownz

That is a fantastic looking car! Will be easily mistaken for an audi though..
Jason

looks too much like an Audi A4 body. It is EXACTLY the same side on, door handles and all.

3D4

Exeo is just a rebadged previous generation A4. Interior is almost identical.
Jake Williams

That’s because it IS…

Matty B

I think VW bought the wrong brand back to Australia. Should of bought Seat instead of Skoda.
Jake Williams

I’m glad that SEAT wasn’t brought back to Australia. Not only wwas their 90′s attempt crap but it left a bad taste for the brand. The only appealing current SEATs are the Cupra models (Ibiza and Leon) and im not sure thats a good thing to only have two nice cars in a range. No wonder VW is considering shutting down SEAT, their debt has only increased! If I were VW I’d merge Skoda and SEAT – give Skodas SEAT styling and you’d still have the Skoda quality and practicality.

I kinda liked the Exeo when it was released but being the last-gen A4 (let alone the current model) it has flaws – crap steering and zero room in the cabin. The Exeo is just getting older and older. A [Skoda] Superb is a much better option – I’m pretty sure it’s cheaper too…

Matty B

How many Cars did Skoda launch with ? And what was their reputation like ? And they’re currently setting the world on fire with sales ? And their cars are all new ? Not rehashed findings from the VW Group parts bin either ?

Look at two of the fastest moving brands in Australia, Kia and Hyundai. Both had less than stellar reputations in the past. But have bought a number of good looking vehicles and they are killing it. Out of Seat or Skoda who would you say has a better looking car ? Cause Honestly, I’d rather try and sell a couple of good looking Seats compared with anything in the Skoda range.
CRS200

That isn’t the same SEAT that exists today.

They have some of the best looking and best priced cars in the VW group.

They should come back to Australia especially to bring in their Leon, Ibiza and Altea magnificent looking cars and top quality finish.

If VW group brought in the Seat Leon Cupra R I would defenantly buy one, magnificent looking/performing car.

Do some research before we talk nonsense yes!?

Jake Williams

And Skoda is vastly different to the Skoda that existed when it was last here. One section of people who know what a Skoda is still think it’s the same Skoda it was in the 80s and I can assure you that there would be exactly the same people for SEAT.

Maybe you should have a point to prove in the first place before criticising others yes!? Far out…

paulb

All i know of the car maker Seat is what i just read.Is it Audi or Scoda priced,lots more appealing than the recent Scodas and Vw”s we have seen.

delux

Skoda with a K. Seat is spanish. Skoda is Czech. VW owns both. It would be priced just under Skoda.

paulb

delux Skoda i assume is a larger global brand than Seat.But in Australia Seat with its more progressive looks and pricing, more a competitive VW challenger to the Korean cars.Given VW take on the Japanese cars.

Matty B

My sentiments exactly. I’m not bashing Skoda, but the only people who will buy a Skoda are those who either can’t afford another German make car, or are looking for more value than a VW offers. I really don’t see Skoda impacting on sales from any other makes besides VW’s own.

Seat on the other hand are more likely to take share away from their competitors.

Matt of Adelaide

So are Skoda going to follow suit and take a styling update for the Octavia? Basically the same car – this SEAT just has a prettier face.

paulb

Matt the Seat looks like it also has a Golf like sports interior.
delux

Same car how? One has a horizontal engine, and the other has a transverse. Completely different platforms.

Paul

From the front it looks like a Jaguar xf
3D4

This Exeo really is a beautiful car. The problem is, it is the only beautiful car that ever came out from Seat..

Not sure about merging Skoda and Seat or bringing Seat into AU market instead of Skoda. The global trend is Skoda brings a lot of money to VW’s pocket from markets around the world, Seat is constantly in loss and last chance for Seat would be China where this brand should be introduced in short period of time. I believe if Seat fails on chinese market, VW will get rid of it..
Azzaa

That is one very pleasant looking transporter. I am not a big fan (still respect) CVT transmissions. I do believe a double clutch is the way to go. I would like to see a RWD or better yet AWD Double Clutch 6 Cylinder . Unrealistic i know.
Nath746

Quote: “SEAT says fuel economy will be rated “below” the current 5.2L/100kmh rating”

Don’t you mean 5.2L/100 km?
delux

It’s a seven year old car with a nose job. As nice as it looks, drives and the like, it would still be hard for it to compete with the likes of todays Accords, i45s, Mazda 6 etc. I realy like the Seat Cupra, though. So if we have to take the Exeo just to get the Cupra, then bring it.
o

i would love one, interior is still above the rest and it looks great, 30k?
aussieitalian

IMHO I think this is a good looking car, and in a world of waste, it’s nice to see VW using older (perfectly good) designs and refreshing them. A great array of vehicles in the VW Auto Group stable, and with sharing mechanicals and designs I believe they can save a lot on R & D.
KD

Last gen A4 with a SEAT facelift. What has the VW Group come to?!
Seano

Seat didn’t Sell cars here…….. They just gave them away on supermarket sweep!!!!! Lol
SEATsam

Despite all this “closing SEAT down business” the brand is doing reasonably well given the poor economic condition of its home market.
In the UK it reached 2% market share for the first time in July and is up 6% this year in a market down 6%. The new award winning Alhambra is selling well Europe wide and in July in the UK relatively small player SEAT outsold bigger brands such as Fiat. With a new Leon, a city car and a Toledo due next year and a launch in China, it really is a brand on the up in my opinion.
Dave R

The Audi A4 B6… The interior is even the same… but thought that chapter was closed… Why would you buy what is essentially an outdated car… Looks good though but I Dunno about the front, it looks like a demented XF, which makes it look like a cheap car trying to be expensive… It isn’t working for me…