Seat is plundering its Audi partner’s back-issues cupboard again – this time for the new Exeo ST estate. This first image of Seat’s Geneva show starlet confirm that the Spaniards are again turning yesteryear’s Audi A4 into a bargain-basement wagon version of the Exeo.
Think of the Exeo ST as Seat’s contender in the Mondeo/Insignia estate class, a sector that’s new ground for the Barcelona-based car maker. UK order books open in April 2009, with first deliveries slated for late summer 2009.
Seat Exeo ST: a performance estate?
No, no, no. ST isn’t a sideswipe at Ford’s badging structure. The ST is all about sports tourer or somesuch, Spanish shorthand for the estate version of the Exeo saloon. It’s a product of the Seat decision to ship the entire last-gen Audi production line from Germany to Martorell as a cut-price entry point to this volume market segment.
The Exeo ST measures 4670mm long and has an unremarkable 442-litre boot. Like its Audi A4 Avant foundation, this wagon isn’t going to be the most class-leading of estates. It should, however, offer decent value priced from around £18,500 and standard kit such as Bluetooth, cruise control, dual-zone climate control and alloys.
Spec choices comprise S, SE, Sport and SE Lux trims, mated to three different engines: two diesels (141bhp or 168bhp) and the 197bhp 2.0 turbo petrol, all powered through a six-speed manual ‘box.
