SEAT says that its new Exeo saloon models will be world leaders in technology when they reach UK showrooms in April.
Among the unusual array of inventive extras will be a solar sunroof. Using mini solar panels embedded in the sunroof glass the system generates electricity which is used to power the car's ventilation system even when the ignition is off.
There is no drain on the car battery and sensors automatically trigger the system when they detect a marked difference between interior and exterior temperatures. The glass roof operates conventionally too, tilting and retracting electrically.
There will also be an optional heat-reflective windscreen, which includes within its layers a micro-fine film of silver that acts like a mirror to reflect a proportion of the thermal radiation that would otherwise enter and heat the car.
The screen can cut interior temperatures by as much as 10°C and helps improve the efficiency of the car's climate control system by effectively reducing the energy required to cool the cabin to the desired temperature.
Also on offer will be a sophisticated satellite navigation system, which uses an ultra-clear 6.5-inch colour screen, advanced graphics with detailed information such as motorway and city lane guides, speed limit data and traffic management info for both the planned route and nearby roads.
Bluetooth mobile phone integration will be standard across the range to offer hands-free telephony with or without the optional satellite navigation system.
The two 2.0-litre TDI engines are mated as standard to a six-speed manual gearbox and will achieve economy of up to 65mpg with CO2 emissions of 143g/km.
The Exeo will be priced from £17,740.