The new SEAT Exeo is the credit-crunch company
car.
About 80pc of sales of the new mid-sized model
launching on 2 April in the UK to take on the Laguna, Peugeot 407, Toyota
Avensis, Citroen C5, Mazd6 and Insignia will be to firms who need to put their
company car users into cheaper models which do not skimp on the features they
have enjoyed up to now in executive models.
It is a significant part of the company's plan
to gradually ramp up sales over the next decade to 800,000 units annually,
principally by selling more models, selling into more countries and more
sectors.
In Europe the Exeo's B-sector accounts for 3M
cars annually and in the UK it's likely to add up to 1,500 models a year and
hopefully 1.4pc of the sector. It will launch as a saloon with an estate, shown
at Geneva motor show this March, coming to Britain in July.
SEAT's newcomer is brimming with standard
features including sophisticated sound and safety systems, advanced sporting
suspension and the latest generation of petrol and diesel engines. Exeo has
Bluetooth connectivity and availability of double-glazed side windows for
additional refinement and security.
The fleet market is also being targeted for the
first time by SEAT and Exeo will be available with low rental costs, offers
good economy, healthy residuals and monthly leasing from under £260 for a three
years and 30,000 miles agreement.
SEAT's newly appointed Head of Fleet and
Business Sales, Nick Andrews, says that selling the Exeo to fleets will be a new
challenge for its 107-strong dealer network.
"It's no secret
that up to now SEAT sales have largely been to retail or private buyers but the
Exeo is essentially a fleet car and the our dealers are going to have to go out
to the fleets rather than let they buyers come to them. It's going to be a
whole new ball game for them.
"We have over a
100 dealers around the country and I want to see us having a fleet presence in
all the major urban conurbations."
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Close the door of the SEAT Exeo and you open up a new experience in
management motoring.
In the cost conscious climate of company cars, the new mid-sized SEAT
exudes quality from the moment the driver's door thuds shut.
The generous, well padded and shaped seats have a firmness you appreciate
more as the miles pass under the wide tyres, the seat belt height, column reach
and rake, and seats provide a huge range of positions to satisfy a variety of
users.
The plastic door casings, fascia and centre console have clean lines and
pleasant surface feel with neat bright trim touches to highlight areas, while the
deeply recessed and cowled instruments would not look out of place in a pure
sports car let alone a five door saloon.
Exeo sees the debut of SEAT's new common rail diesel engines along with
the more familiar petrol 200ps 2.0. The new 143ps and 170ps 2.0 units will be
joined later by a 120ps oil-burner and the range is spread over S, SE, Sport
and SE Lux trim levels.
Prices go from £17,740 to £21,340 for the seven models while insurance
groups are 12E to 14E.
The 2.0 litre 143ps turbo-diesel engine is a smooth, willing and fairly
quiet unit with really useful flexibility, excellent mid range punch and
matched to the six-speed manual box on the SE tested it provides rapid
acceleration from rest, reassuring overtaking and relaxed motorway ability.
The chunky feel to the steering wheel gives a lot of feedback and the
turning circle is tight, there is no unwelcome vibration or kickback and the
clutch and gearchange are easy and precise.
All the secondary controls are close to the wheel rim for the driver and
operate with a satisfying action while the very comprehensive instruments are
directly infront of the driver but not marked in great detail and suffer from
reflections.
Heating and ventilation is straightforward and works well, backed up by
four powered windows on the SE and the oddments room is reasonable throughout.
A fairly low sill and moderately sized boot opening give access to a
boot which offers up to 460 litres and the interior legroom is good unless the
front seats are fully set back.
Headroom is good throughout and visibility is clear thanks to slim roof
pillars. Noise levels are limited to moderate amounts of road rumble from the
big tyres and suspension but wind and engine are quiet by comparison, even at
motorway speed.
Ride is biased towards firmness but it's not hard or uncomfortable in
the SE, although the sportier versions with lower profile tyres can expect to
be stiffer.
The SE had a good positive feel on the road. Its handling was safe and
sure with a tendency to run wide on tight turns around the test route, but it
was well mannered and did not show up any nasty surprises.
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