Seat Exeo to offer automatic 'box

The Exeo range will offer the option of an automatic transmission from next year, Seat has announced.

Unveiled at the Paris Show this week and available on both the saloon and Sport Tourer models from April next year, the continuously variable transmission will come only with the 141bhp version of the 2.0-litre diesel engine.

Although the exact figures are to be confirmed, Seat expects models with the new gearbox to average 48.7mpg some 5.6mpg less than the same car with a six-speed manual gearbox.

The new CVT box will offer two extra modes in addition to Normal. In Sport, the car will use higher revs for extra performance, while the manual mode allows the driver to swap between pre-set ratios using steering-wheel-mounted paddles.

Also shown at Paris are two further alterations to the Exeo range. You can now specify rear lights featuring LED technology as options, in conjunction with bi-xenon headlights.

Seat has also redesigned the front and rear seats to liberate more room for passengers in the rear without affecting comfort or boot space. Models with these revised seats will be available in the UK by the end of this year.