The Spanish brand's sporty SEAT Exeo sedan range has been extended with the arrival on the market of the estate ST version, a tremendously functional car that combines luxury, comfort and spaciousness with the traditional sporty philosophy that characterises all SEAT models.

The new Exeo ST goes one step further in terms of practicality and interior functionality. With its family size body styling and new rear hatch, load capacity has been greatly increased and loading itself is much easier. Furthermore, with the launch of the ST, the Exeo range has even more equipment, and new systems that improve on-board safety and comfort, strengthening the position of SEAT's new model within the B segment of mid-sized sedans.

One of the main novelties added to the equipment line-up of the Exeo range is the BOSE sound system with 10 precision speakers that guarantee unbeatable acoustics within the passenger compartment to round off an attractive offer that includes several infotainment systems. Another outstanding element found on the Exeo is the WIV variable maintenance system, which considerably lengthens the time between service appointments and informs the driver on the distance remaining before the next visit.

The new Exeo ST looks very similar to the four-door sedan version. The only differences lay in the length of the body, which is 4.666 metres long, and the boot volume, of 442 litres, with increased load capacity when the rear seats are folded. Other elements that identify the new family version are the roof rails, which are handy for transporting bulkier items.

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The new SEAT Exeo ST will initially be available with three petrol engines – the 102 hp 1.6, 150 hp 1.8 and 200 hp 2.0 TSI, and two Diesel choices – the 143 and 170 hp 2.0 units (the 120 hp version will be ready in September) equipped with DPF particulate filter and common rail technology. They are all mated to a six-speed manual gearbox that fully complies with EU5 emissions legislation coming into effect in 2011.

Extensive equipment line-up

The SEAT Exeo ST is available in three trim levels – Reference, Style and Sport.

Right from the entry-level Reference version, the range is available with 7 airbags as standard, with the option of including two rear chest airbags. Other standard equipment on Reference includes dual zone climate control, ABS + TCS, ESP with EBA emergency braking, passenger airbag disconnection, driver seatbelt warning, WIV variable maintenance system, optimised headrests, efficient gear shift indicator (except with the 102 hp 1.6 engine), 205/55 tyres on 16 inch steel rims, trip computer, front and rear power windows, electric heated door mirrors, roof rails, body colour side mouldings, sport suspension, foglights, remote controlled central locking, storage drawers beneath the front seats, roll-up parcel shelf, split folding rear seat, glove compartment light, front and rear reading lights, MP3 CD radio with aux-in, four speakers and Isofix anchoring points on the passenger and rear window seats with Top Tether, among others.

The Style versions build on Reference equipment with the following elements: height adjustable passenger seat, front seats with lumbar support, cruise control, lighting package, smoker's package, chrome roof rails, park position door mirrors, chrome roof rails, rear parking sensor, rain sensing wipers, automatic lights on, anti-dazzle rear-view mirror, acoustic protection windscreen, windscreen with green anti-glare stripe, Coming Home, front /rear armrest with compartment + 2 cupholders, chrome window frames + glossy B/C pillars + aluminium inserts on interior door sills, cooler in glove compartment, leather steering wheel and gearknob, rope net cargo area separator, 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 trim builds on the entry-level version equipment with dark glass, sport seats, height adjustable passenger seat, front seats with lumbar support, cruise 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, sporty door moulding, low tyre pressure warning and 225/45 tyres on 17" alloy rims.

Complete list of optional equipment

The SEAT Exeo ST features a long list of optional equipment that significantly increases onboard comfort and safety.

The new car 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, 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, green 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, and colour instrument panel screen.

The storage package is also available on the Exeo ST on all three trim levels, featuring an elastic retainer on the right side of the boot, as well as a ski bag. An interior lighting package is also available (standard on Style and optional on Sport), which includes light on the front armrest, lights in the front and rear ashtrays, front and rear door footlighting, door handle lights, and dome lights when the doors are opened.

The alloy rim choices on Reference include 16" Dante, 17" Modena and 18" Fénix, 17" alloy Modena and 18" alloy Fenix rims on Style and 18" alloy Fenix rims on Sport.