Seat, VW’s Spanish subsidiary, is expecting a 10 percent rise in sales this year. In 2012 Seat will launch four new models, such as the Ibiza ST and the Alhambra.

For 2012, the company has even bigger plans, fueled by the launch of four new models. “We will launch four new cars: the new Leon, a totally new entry-level model, a four-door sedan and a major Ibiza facelift,” said Muir, who was appointed head of Seat in 2009.

While the new Leon is no surprise and the entry-level model should be Seat’s version of the VW Up!, the four-door sedan leaves room for speculations. The most logical choice would be to build a new Toledo, based on the upcoming Leon. But the four-door sedan could also be a reiteration of the Cordoba or even a facelift of the older Audi A4-based Exeo.

In order to sustain the expected sales growth, Seat will also hire more people. “Before the end of the year, we will hire 300 to 800 new employees,” Muir said. His plans for 2018 are way more ambitious: by that time Seat should sell 800,000 units a year and achieve a 15 percent return on investment.

The Volkswagen has announced plans to introduce a new line of minicars for the VW, Seat and Skoda brands. VW announced that new car will be based on the Up! prototypes and will produce a new lineup at its Bratislava plant in Slovakia. The new SEAT minicar will be available in 3-door and 5-door versions at the beginning of 2011.

The first study for these minicars, the three -door Up!, made its debut at the Frankfurt Show in 2007.

The Seat was clear in last year’s press release concerning the mid-size sedan that it belongs to the C/D segment (Skoda Octavia). So having that in mind, we’re led to believe that the EXEO might be the spiritual successor to the Cordoba Sedan and if so, it will probably be based on the new SEAT Ibiza platform.

PRESS RELEASE

COMPETING IN THE B-SEGMENT

In addition to the saloon, there will be a family version

To be wholly manufactured at the Martorell plant

SEAT’s new saloon car will be called “EXEO”. Its market launch that is scheduled for 2009 marks a new highlight in the history of the Spanish brand, which is expanding its model range towards new segments. The SEAT EXEO is an elegant, dynamic saloon with high quality and outstanding technology that faithfully reflects SEAT’s personality – design, sportiness and liveliness.

The name EXEO is advanced, forceful and technological, which signals excellence and is highly suggestive of driving pleasure.

Faithful to SEAT’s Mediterranean roots, the new name stems from the Latin word “Exire”, meaning ‘to go beyond’, ‘to go further’. The name differs from all the other range denominations, and indicates the beginning of a new period for the company, that takes the brand into an all new segment. The successful names of the models of the current range will be maintained.

The SEAT EXEO is a B-segment model which does not replace the SEAT Toledo.

SEAT has has confirmed it will be putting the Bocanegra concept into production. The Bocanegra – ‘black mouth’ in Spanish – features a strik­ing Perspex-trimmed face. It previewed the three-door version of the new Ibiza, which will be badged SportCoupe when it goes on sale in November. And the Bocanegra’s nose will appear on a flagship Cupra variant, which is due in 2009.

The hot hatch will have real road presence, thanks to the neat trans­parent housing for the xenon headlights, as well as the big vents that feed cool air to the engine.

The Cupra will also get the same ground-hugging bodykit, plus a panoramic glass sunroof. Power should come from the 1.4-litre twin-turbo FSI petrol engine which appeared in the concept. This will have around 180bhp and be mated to a seven-speed semi-automatic DSG gearbox.

Great news! Forget about old good colors for your car – look at the SEAT’s innovative ‘electro reflective’ exterior panel finish. The unique paint has been developed by an team of technicians at the Spanish Martorell HQ.
Using complex principles similar to those through which electrochromic (auto dimming) rear view mirrors work, the team have developed the patented electro reflective finish which constantly adapts to mimic the car’s surroundings. Probably, the new electro-reflective paint will be available for order on April 1, 2009.