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EXEO is just the business [Mirror (UK)](Mirror (UK) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) AFTER my exploits last week in two Bentley Supercars this week I'm taking things easy with a sensible family car, the SEAT Exeo. I thought the name Exeo was something to do with it's executive credentials but it's derived from the Latin word for "to go beyond". After spending four relaxing, enjoyable days behind the wheel I could have easily gone to infinity and beyond as it's a great car to spend time driving. Sitting in the Agnew SEAT Boucher road forecourt it looks all angelic in white but as sensible as it looks under the bonnet lurks a 2.0-litre diesel 170bhp engine that packs some punch. If you think this estate looks familiar but just can't quite put your finger on it. I'll put you out of your misery. The Exeo is based on a previous Audi A4 model and that's a good thing. The Audi A4 is hugely popular - just count how many you see on your next journey. All those A4 drivers can't be wrong so you know the Exeo is going to be good too. The Exeo has so much going for it because for starters it's cheaper than an A4, comes loaded with kit and because there are so many A4s on the road the Exeo is rarer. The chassis may be from the previous model A4 but SEAT gave the chassis a tweak for better handling and the engine is the same as you'd find under the bonnet of a new A4. As we are stuck in a never-ending recession it's good every now and again to get a bargain. As I said the Exeo is much cheaper than the equivalent A4 but what if I told you that Agnew's are offering unbeatable value on a low-milage used Exeos. The model I'm driving is the 2.0-litre, 170bhp diesel Sport Tech that cost pounds 25,500. At Agnew SEAT a 2011 Exeo Sport Tech ST can be yours for pounds 16,995 saving you a cool pounds 8,505. Sales manager Simon Trainor told me that the diesel engine loosens up after a few thousand miles and when run in it returns even better fuel economy. A used Exeo then would not only save you money from the initial purchase but if it's returning higher fuel economy figures then it's a no-brainer. It's a very attractive car and this top-of-the-range Sport Tech model comes with beefy 18" silver alloys, complemented by silver roof rails, window surrounds and bi-xenon headlights with LED rear lights. I did expect, as is all the rage now with white cars, for the wheels to be black but the Exeo is more grownup compared to some of SEAT's sporty counterparts. You can get 18" Anthracite alloy wheels as an optional extra if you want though. I've always had a soft spot for sporty estates, or sports tourers to be correct, and having all that extra space makes it extremely practical. The boot is huge, I'm getting a set of alloy wheels re-furbed and with the rear seats down easily fitted four huge 18" rims off my Toyota Supra into the back. Staying with the interior SEAT haven't scrimped on goodies to cut down on the price. This model, being the Sport Tech, is packed with technological wizardry and every conceivable extra but even the lower spec models come with pretty much every toy you'd need. There are top-quality leather seats, double-glazed windows that reduce road and engine noise, dual-zone climate control and a sophisticated air quality sensor that closes external vents when high levels of pollutants are detected. An optional electric sunroof features a solar panel to power the ventilation system - it even keeps working after the engine is turned off. Best of all is the 10-speaker BOSE premium sound system. BOSE are the boss when it comes to audio and the digital amplifier with its digital signal processing, audiopilot noise compensation technology and five-channel equaliser provides one of the bestsounding car systems I've ever heard. Everything is controlled via a 6.5" colour touch screen. There's a 3D map display sat nav and a DVD player with SD card slots for MP3 playback and of course iPod connectivity. And at the touch of a button, an on-board computer lets you know the vehicle's average speed, fuel consumption and time spent on the road. It even advises you to take a break from driving after two hours. The dash is nicely laid out and everything is well screwed together with a real quality feel. A nice place to be for long journeys. So far so good but good looks and plenty of kit are not much use if the car drives like a pig. No such worries in the Exeo. There are three superb 2.0-litre common rail diesel engines to choose from, with 120, 143 and 170bhp. I had the most powerful version and thanks to their latest generation turbocharged direct injection technology the Exeo performance is pretty amazing with a 0-60mph time of 8.4seconds and in sixth gear it will keep on pulling right up to 142mph. To keep all that power on the road there's traction control and that tweaked chassis makes the Exeo a high-speed cruiser. If this was my company car I'd want to be out of the office on a permanent basis as it's great on the motorway but even more fun on some twisty roads as you get to experience 350lb.ft of torque. If diesels aren't your thing then fear not as there is also a powerful yet highly efficient 2.0 TSI direct injection petrol too with 211bhp. The engines may be potent but they're also efficient. SEAT quote an extra/urban figure of 64.2mph for the 170bhp diesel engine. I was seeing 50+mpg without trying and the emissions are low too with 148g/km. To round things off nicely the Exeo comes equipped with standard six airbags and optional rear side thorax airbags, anti-lock brakes, Electronic Stability Programme and Emergency Brake Assist as standard. SEAT's catchphrase for this car is: "The SEAT Exeo, you would have bought it if only you'd known." Well after reading this now you do know and don't forget the huge saving if you opt for a low-mileage used Exeo. Now all you have to do is get down to Agnew's before they're all gone. the FactS Seat exeo Sport tech Five-door estate price: pounds 25,500(new) pounds 16,995(used) engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder, 170bhp diesel 0-60mph: 8.4sec top speed: 142mph Fuel consumption: 64.2mpg s (c) 2011 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |