SEAT is targeting fleets with the launch of its new Exeo upper-medium family of cars which go on sale early next year.

The manufacturer expects up to 75% of sales to go to the corporate market, and also believes it will strengthen its standing among customers.

The Exeo is a rebadged and slightly redesigned version of the old Audi A4 saloon and estate range, although changes have been made under the skin to make it feel more like a SEAT and less like an Audi.

These include steering and suspension changes, plus the adoption of new Volkswagen Group engines, including two common-rail 2.0-litre diesels.

SEAT’s new national business sales manager Toby Winyard said: “We’re excited about the opportunities presented by the new Exeo for all kinds of reasons.

“It will significantly raise awareness of the brand among fleet and business customers and, for the first time, allow us to offer an attractive one-make fleet offering to the market.

“I expect it to be particularly attractive to user-choosers, while the high level of standard equipment across the range presents obvious benefits to cost-conscious fleet and business buyers.”

The Exeo goes on sale in the UK in April, with the ST estate version following in the summer.

Prices are estimated to start at around £17,000 and, as well as 143 and 168bhp versions of the 2.0 TDI engine, there will be a 200bhp 2.0-litre petrol unit.

Trim levels will be S, SE and Sport, with all models offering alloy wheels, climate and cruise control, Bluetooth telephony and MP3-compatible stereo as standard.

In the future are a host of possibilities for the model, including four-wheel drive, larger engines and automatic gearboxes.

SEAT has confirmed that a top-spec model will join the line-up above the Sport version, offering a very high specification.

And although not officially confirmed, don’t be surprised to see an Ecomotive low-CO2 model as well as sporty FR and Cupra versions.