Seat Toledo Prototype (2004)

Seat Toledo Prototype

The SEAT Toledo is an automobile built and marketed by SEAT, a division of the Volkswagen Group. The Toledo brand name was first introduced to the SEAT line-up in 1991, and the third generation was introduced in late 2004.

First generation (1991-1999)

The Toledo was the first SEAT developed entirely under VW leadership. The first generation was a saloon built on the Volkswagen Golf Mk II chassis, but with an extended boot, very close in size to the Passat. As saloon versions of small family cars were rare in Europe, it was considered by many a large family car due to its size (despite having smaller rear room and pricing closer to small family cars).

The Toledo initially featured underpowered engines (standard for VW at the time) compared to the Ibiza and Malaga's System Porsche units, such as a base 1.6 L with 75 PS (55 kW) and a GT version using the 2.0 L/115 PS (85 kW) engine. Later the Toledo would see the addition of more powerful versions, including a 150 PS (110 kW) 2.0 L GTI 16V and 110 PS (81 kW) 1.9 TDI which, like many VAG diesels built since 1996, it is advertised as capable of running on both mineral diesel and biodiesel.

In spite of having a saloon body, the first generation Toledo was unusual in that it featured a hatchback boot opening. The Spanish car received a mild facelift in 1996.

Second generation (1999-2004)

The second generation was introduced in 1999. It was more coupe like than the previously boxy shape. It had a much more fluid design, although both were products of Giorgetto Giugiaro's Italdesign studio.

It shared components with both its Skôda and Volkswagen brothers (the Octavia and the Bora) yet is supposedly the sportiest out of the three, and sport details have been added, such as completely translucent headlights not often seen in cars at that time, and lots of curves in the interior.

It was built on the Golf Mk IV platform, which meant stiff springs to keep the large 500 Litre Boot (600 with the seats folded down) in the air. The early models were built at the Audi/VW plant in Belgium with much improved build quality, although the Toledo was still presented as an economic alternative to the lower level of the D segment, and included in the basic price a high level of equipment. Unfortunately, one of the features most associated with the Spanish model, the hatchback door, was removed in favor of a more traditional sedan boot opening. The following year, the Toledo would be used as the base for a proper hatchback, the SEAT León.

Base model was now a crossflow 1.6 L/100 PS (74 kW), while the top of the line was represented by the 2.3 L/150 PS (110 kw) V5 engine. Diesel versions used the 1.9 TDI engine, with a variable geometry turbocharger, offered initially with power outputs of 90 PS (66 kW) or 110 PS (81 kW). Later in the series, the Toledo received a 1.8 Turbo with five valves per cylinder, capable of delivering 180 PS (132 kW), and a later evolution of the VW TDI engine, which pumped out 150 PS (110 kW). Both versions now featured a six-speed manual transmission.

Third generation

The third generation was introduced in 2004, and it is completely different from the previous two. Abandoning the sedan format, the Toledo Mk III has a very controversial design, penned by Walter de'Silva. It is a compact MPV with the Altea's front section and a rear end inspired in the not very successful Renault Vel Satis, paying homage to the original Toledo's hatchback/sedan rear. All pretense of a sporty identity was thrown out, in favour of a more upscale and alternative image. A large 500 L (DIN) boot is its most interesting feature. Under the bodywork, the Seat Toledo uses the same underpinnings as the VW Golf Mk V.

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