A breakthrough upper-medium car will help Seat UK capture up to 4,000 extra annual registrations by the end of 2009.

Set to be previewed at the Paris Motor Show in autumn and due in UK showrooms next spring, the saloon will also give the Spanish brand a significantly higher profile in the marketplace, said Seat UK director Peter Wyhinny.

Based on the running gear of the outgoing Audi A4, the car will be pitched to offer a high-end alternative in the D-segment – but the sales growth is likely to be underwritten by ‘realistic’ pricing.

“Using a group platform gives us a head start in the segment and Audi has an integrity beyond question.

“Our prices have yet to be fixed, but the aim is to blend the quality of Audi with the high value that reflects our brand approach and I am confident it will be a success.

“This will be a high value proposition,” said Wyhinny.