A History Of The Seat Exeo B7 / 8E.

[Nollywood]

As some may know, my current project is based upon the B7 Avant. But not the B7 as we know it.

It’s based upon the newest possible B7 Avant - a 2013 Seat Exeo ST Sport Tech.

The Seat Exeo B7 was launched in 2009, with the ST (Avant) becoming available a few months later. The brand name is actually an abbreviation SEAT, and stands for Sociedad Española de Automóviles de Turismo. In 1986, the Spanish Government sold SEAT to Volkswagen AG. And this is where the alliance began, with subsequent SEAT models being based upon an equivalent Audi or Volkswagen.

Unlike previous models though, the Seat Exeo is the first (and till date the only) SEAT model that is an exact copy of an Audi, with minor differences to the tail and nose. With the arrival of the Audi A4 B8, the redundant B7 factory was wholly torn down, and transported to Martorell, Spain.

The Seat Exeo (Sedan) and Seat Exeo ST (Wagon) were born.

The Spanish VAG models, like most other Spanish brands have always had the reputation for being pretty daring in their designs, especially their interiors. The Seat Exeo B7 is no exception, though the exterior remains conservative, as the Audi A4 B7. The interiors however, are brighter, and more modern than the equivalent Audi. The dashboard fascia and instrument cluster are from the B6/7 A4 Convertible (8H).

The seats in Sport guise are more supportive than the Sport seats found in the B6/B7 A4 USP / S-Line, and the pattern is more aggressive.

In terms of power plants and electrics, most are from the B8 platform. To this end, the Diesel engines are the excellent 2.0 TDI CR (Common-Rail) units introduced in the B8 A4, with DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter).

No AWD options are available, though as per the B6/B7 A4, retrofit is easy, which is what I will be doing with my own car.

The Seat Exeo is an excellent source of choice parts to retrofit to an Audi A4 B6/B7. Pictures to follow.

[Nollywood]

The Seat Exeo / Exeo ST can be split into 2 groups.

Pre-facelift (2009 - 2011).
Post-facelift (2011 - 2013).

The LED DRL’s, honeycomb grille and some interior changes were introduced late 2011. The alloy wheels on Sport / Sport Tech models, had a new design, although the size at 8”x18” remained unchanged.

Post-facelift Seat Exeo ST:



Pre-facelift Seat Exeo ST:



The same treatment was applied to the Seat Exeo Sedan.

[Nollywood]

More Seat Exeo / Exeo ST images. Note the mix and match in interior colors. Very bold, and typically Spanish.





















[img]https://i.imgur.com/qs1X6Sl.jpg[/imh]

[Nollywood]

LED tails:





Mixed images:

[oVeRdOsE]

very very nice read. thanks !

need some stanced pics.

[EvolutionArmory]

The front looks too much like a Volvo for me. 🤣

And the tails on the sedan look like a Ford Taurus.

The Avant looks cooler but I might be baised.

How’s your project going? It’s been a while since you posted any updates.

[Nollywood]

EA, I had some issues with the 2012 car I originally intended to use. The search for a high spec car slowed me down. But we’re back in action.

Yeah, I’ve always preferred the Avant in the B6/7 platform.

[bwdysart]

Just out of curiosity, how complicated would an Exeo front end swap be? Just bumper headlights and hood, or would the fenders be different too?


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[Nollywood]

Fenders and lock carrier are the same as B7 A4.

So just hood, bumper, grille & headlamps.

[brev928]

I really love the square 'quilted' patter in the seat centers. Almost a Lancia-esque feel.

[Charles.waite]

Those Black Leather seats with Orange Inserts are kinda sweet.

Full disclosure, I was definitely just perusing ebay.co.uk for some Exeo seats and didn't really find much. Similarly on ebay.es. My High School spanish let me down.

[Nollywood]

very very nice read. thanks !

need some stanced pics.

By popular demand, I just had to...













This looks like a B6 A4 Avant with Seat Exeo B7 tails. The bodyline lacks the B7’s profile...

[SykoraA4]

I wonder if the hood would swap right onto an A4. An OEM Boser hood would be pretty cool.

[Charles.waite]

Might not fit with the standard Audi grille.


These pictures are just bizarro land to me. Like, I’m seeing b7s...but those aren’t b7s.

I’m a bit mixed on whether I like the seat front end though. It’s sort of odd imo.

[pw211]

Might not fit with the standard Audi grille.


These pictures are just bizarro land to me. Like, I’m seeing b7s...but those aren’t b7s.

I’m a bit mixed on whether I like the seat front end though. It’s sort of odd imo.

Agreed. My brain sees the side of the car and is like ah yes b7 wait no

[csevans]

The front bumper is sorta like a hybrid DTM/RS4 version I like. But the grill sucks - it looks more like a B6 ... and for me the B7 is the perfect mix from being a little stodgy/bland (b6) and putting on weight (S-Line/B8).
I do like the headlights.
I also like the black sedan with the clear tail lights - I'm debating going LED and whether I should stay stockish solid red, go smoked out, or go clear. the clear is making me question whether I should go that way instead.

As was said - this is bizarro land.

[Nollywood]

I quite like the Seat Exeo’s styling in post-facelift guise. Those squinty headlamps were a must for me, despite the fact they won’t be staying on the car.

[tloft4]

I’m a bit mixed on whether I like the seat front end though. It’s sort of odd imo.

thats what i was thinking too, kinda cheap almost. i like back of the sedan and think the avant looks kinda strange. the size and logo dont help

was it only tdis? skimmed mostly so sorry if mentioned

[Nollywood]

thats what i was thinking too, kinda cheap almost. i like back of the sedan and think the avant looks kinda strange. the size and logo dont help

was it only tdis? skimmed mostly so sorry if mentioned

Gasoline engines available:

1.6 8V - 100hp / 148Nm.
1.8 20V Turbo - 150hp / 220Nm.
1.8 16V TSI - 160hp / 250Nm.
1.8 16V TSI - 120hp / 230Nm.
2.0 16V TSI - 200hp / 280Nm.
2.0 16V TSI - 210hp / 320Nm.

Diesel engines available:

2.0 16V TDI CR - 120hp / 290Nm.
2.0 16V TDI CR - 143hp / 320Nm.
2.0 16V TDI CR - 170hp / 350Nm.

No V6 or V8 engine options were available. UK-spec cars were either 2.0 TDI CR or 2.0 TSI.

[mnvwaudiguy]

Excellent thread, OP.

[Nollywood]

Excellent thread, OP.

Thanks buddy! 👍

[AudiB720TS]

IMHO its nasty looking.

Seat is down there with Skoda as the lowend part of VAG. I would not put Seat parts on an Audi. But I can see how it might seem exotic in the US.

[Nollywood]

IMHO its nasty looking.

Seat is down there with Skoda as the lowend part of VAG. I would not put Seat parts on an Audi. But I can see how it might seem exotic in the US.

It’s a choice thing.

As far as fitting SEAT parts on an Audi, it’s already happening, even in Europe.

[eljay]

IMHO its nasty looking.

Seat is down there with Skoda as the lowend part of VAG. I would not put Seat parts on an Audi. But I can see how it might seem exotic in the US.

Skoda is making great cars lately. I think they would easily grab some market if they came back to North America. Makes me want to start a Skoda revival thread.

Nollywood, my inlaws just bought a 2019 Seat Arona with 1.5 TFSI engine. It drives great and I love the design. They know how to grab attention.

[Nollywood]

Skoda is making great cars lately. I think they would easily grab some market if they came back to North America. Makes me want to start a Skoda revival thread.

Nollywood, my inlaws just bought a 2019 Seat Arona with 1.5 TFSI engine. It drives great and I love the design. They know how to grab attention.

You’re right.

I recently had a 2018 Skoda Octavia 1.2 TSI as a courtesy car. 105hp / 175Nm.

Very impressive performance for such a small engine. I wouldn’t buy one, as I like big engines, but I’m open-minded enough as a car enthusiast not to knock a car I’ve never driven. Heck, a lot of folk here haven’t even seen a Seat Exeo!

The Skoda Octavia I drove for 2 weeks was a wagon too, I can guarantee an Audi A3 with the same engine will be slower, due to weight penalty over the Skoda.

[Nollywood]

For those that feel Seat and Skoda are the low end of VAG...

How many of our Audi’s will beat this car, even if the Audi had 20hp / 20Nm more? I’m talking FWD Audi’s, by the way.



Even an A3 with quattro and same output, would struggle against this “lower end” VAG model. 469hp / 560Nm from 1.4 litres is impressive. Same torque as a C5 RS6 with 20hp more. This will outrun the RS6 by a fair margin, despite being 2WD.

It might as well be an engine and drivetrain wrapped in baking foil, it’s that light and quick.

[eljay]

For those that feel Seat and Skoda are the low end of VAG...

How many of our Audi’s will beat this car, even if the Audi had 20hp / 20Nm more? I’m talking FWD Audi’s, by the way.



Even an A3 with quattro and same output, would struggle against this “lower end” VAG model. 469hp / 560Nm from 1.4 litres is impressive. Same torque as a C5 RS6 with 20hp more. This will outrun the RS6 by a fair margin, despite being 2WD.

It might as well be an engine and drivetrain wrapped in baking foil, it’s that light and quick.

That's incredible. And if the curve is nice as the poster suggests, that would be a nice sleeper. Put that in a VW T-Roc with 4Motion for an ultimate sleeper. :)

[Willënskraft]

Did the Seat brand ever make it to the US?

[Nollywood]

Did the Seat brand ever make it to the US?

I don’t think it did.

[Nollywood]

[simbat]

I'm interested getting brand new manual shift knob from the Exeo and black leather seats. Don't find anything on Ebay.

There are plenty NOS B6/B7 parts now available for this platform. I don't like where the car industry is going right now and can't find a brad new car I want to buy. Except may be VW Alltrack SEL manual....But still doesn't feel like Audi. I tried B8.5 S4 manual...discovered sedan life was not for me and I'm not fond of electric assisted steering. Sold the 15' S4 ...with 9K miles on the odo... It was easier to sell it than I thought. And after searching for a while I got the newest possible B7 A4 Avant with manual transmission. It's manufactured in May 2008 . By the time it was shipped and sold it was 2009 already. 50K on the odo. This the best I could do to satisfy my need of analog Avant with actual button, hydraulic steering feel, real hand brake with lever and full size spare tire. And It was cheap too .I got brand new NOS shift knobs - walnut, ash all kinds of wood, leather different colors...all OEM brand new for $30-$40 each...brand new steering wheel for $125. Brand new OEM stereo for $50 . It's awesome.

[Nollywood]

Simbat, you’ll struggle to find Seat Exeo brand new shift knobs. They are available here though from dealerships.

Black leather seats (Sport Tech) are not cheap brand new, as you’d expect. There are a few independent breakers though, so the seats can be had. I purchased an immaculate interior for installation into a 2006 B7 Avant.

[simbat]

Seats anyway is not realistic due to the size and cost pf shipping. But in USA we are blessed with new NOS parts fro older cars :https://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_odk...A4+B7&_sacat=0

[Nollywood]

Seats anyway is not realistic due to the size and cost pf shipping. But in USA we are blessed with new NOS parts fro older cars :https://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_odk...A4+B7&_sacat=0

I understand.

In the UK, we also have NOS parts. I recently purchased some brand new trim parts for a 1988 Audi Coupé GT.

[StephenA4]

Thanks for posting the SEAT version of the B7 ... a good read!

[Nollywood]

Thanks for posting the SEAT version of the B7 ... a good read!

You’re welcome!

[Nollywood]

Unusual color. I think I like it though.

[eljay]

That is an unusual colour. I've only seen Passats in a nice shade of brown. This one is different again.

Is that what you've picked up already or just looking at this one?

[oVeRdOsE]

screenshot from FB, this was a local sale, 6MT , 3.2L , with nice options on it.

very very rare. And it was cheap. 5000$ cad. functional. but with 225k km (140k miles).

I almost wanted it for a 3.0T swap.

Screenshot_20180613-141112.jpg

[Nollywood]

You should have bought it!

The color is very similar to that of the SEAT. They are not the same. There’s a base B7 2.0 TDI Sedan that parks at my work car park. I’ve never seen the owner though.