Nov 21: Seat will compete in next year's British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), with former champion Jason Plato leading their title bid. Plato, 36, won the 2001 crown before leaving for the Ascar stockcar series.
But the Oxford-born driver is returning to partner Robert Huff in Seat's debut BTCC campaign.
Plato said: "The series is growing from strength to strength and it's good news for the BTCC that a new, dynamic manufacturer will be involved."
Plato, who will drive a Toledo Cupra R, said he was delighted to return to top-line domestic competition after two years away.
"I'm very excited about returning to the British Touring Car Championship and sparring with some old racing rivals again."
Cambridge-based Huff will get his first chance in the BTCC after winning the Seat Cupra Cup Championship this year.
"It's much better for me to be doing the British Touring Car Championship rather than the European series because, with the exception of Mondello Park, I have already raced at all of the circuits," he said.
Today's announcement is a major boost to the series, which recently announced a rules shake-up to allow more cars to enter.
Alan Gow, who this year returned as series director, was delighted with the news, which should take the number of manufacturers in the championship to five, joining Vauxhall, Honda, Proton and MG.
"I know (Seat) will prove to be a great competitor in this fantastic championship," he said.
Bureau Report