Although the Exeo is clearly very closely related to the A4 (Seat calculates that 70 per cent of the components are shared), there are a few notable differences. The most notable is probably the 2.0 TDI engine, which for the moment is available with either 141bhp or 168bhp, but will be joined by a 118bhp version in late 2009. While the new A4 and other VW Group brands use this latest common-rail diesel, it was never found in the old A4, which instead employed pumpe düse technology.
Compared with engineering an entirely new car, fitting a different engine isn’t a huge engineering advance, but it still requires significant effort. As does meeting the latest pedestrian impact regulations, which the A4 pre-dated; this required re-engineering at the front end, so in profile the elevated bonnet sits slightly uncomfortably with the Exeo’s otherwise crisp, clean lines.
While the suspension hardware front and rear is carried over from the A4, Seat has tweaked the spring, damper and anti-roll bar settings in an effort to give the Exeo a character of its own. Furthermore, Exeos in Sport trim offer lowered ride height and stiffer suspension as a non-cost option, while the 168bhp diesel and the single petrol model (the 197bhp 2.0 TSI) get Audi’s Servotronic speed-dependent power steering. All engine options meet the forthcoming EU5 regulations and are available with manual gearboxes only; a Multitronic (CVT) transmission is planned for the 2.0 TSI later in 2009.
Despite Seat’s best efforts to disguise the Exeo’s roots, at 4661mm long and 1772mm wide, the Exeo is noticeably smaller than the current crop of mainstream and premium saloons, particularly the 183mm longer and 114mm wider Mondeo.
