SEAT Toledo

The SEAT Toledo is an automobile built and marketed by Spanish automaker 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)

First generation
Production	1991-1999
Class	Small family car
Body style(s)	5-door liftback
Platform	Volkswagen A platform
Wheelbase	2470 mm (97.2 in)
Length	4320 mm (170.1 in)
Width	1660 mm (65.4 in)
Height	1425 mm (56.1 in)
Designer	Giorgetto Giugiaro

The Toledo was the first SEAT developed entirely under VW leadership. The first generation was a five-door liftback built on the Volkswagen Golf Mk II chassis, with boot similar in shape and size to the Volkswagen Bora's but with the advantage of a tailgate. As saloon versions of small family cars were rare in Europe, it was sometimes considered a large family car due to its overall length and boot size, despite having smaller rear leg room and pricing closer to small family cars. The Toledo initially featured underpowered engines compared to the Ibiza and Málaga's System Porsche units, such as a base 1.6 L 75 PS (55 kW) petrol engine 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 GTI 16V and 110 PS (81 kW) 1.9 TDI which, like many diesels built since 1996 by the Volkswagen Group, it is advertised as capable of running on both mineral diesel and biodiesel. This version of the Toledo is built by chinese car manufacturer Chery without any license and sold under the names Chery Amulet, Cowin, Windcloud and Flagcloud.

Second generation (1999-2004)

Second generation
Production	1999-2004
Class	Small family car
Body style(s)	4-door saloon
Wheelbase	2520 mm (99.2 in)
Length	4440 mm (174.8 in)
Width	1740 mm (68.5 in)
Height	1440 mm (56.7 in)
Related	Audi A3 SEAT León Škoda Octavia Volkswagen Bora
Designer	Giorgetto Giugiaro

The second generation was introduced in 1999. It was more rounded 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 Škoda 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 a more rounded dashboard with a white dials. It was built on the Golf Mk IV platform, which meant stiff springs to keep the large 500 litre boot 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 tailgate was removed in favor of a more traditional saloon 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-litre 100 PS (74 kW) petrol engine, followed by a 1.8-litre 20-valve 125 PS (98 kW) unit, while the top of the line was represented by the 2.3-litre 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). In 2001, the V5 engine was uprated with a 20v head boosting power to 170 PS (167.7 hp/125 kW). Later in the series, the 1.8-litre 20-valve Toledo received a turbocharger, capable of delivering 180 PS (132 kW), and a later evolution of the VW TDI engine, which produced 150 PS (110 kW). Both versions also featured a six-speed manual transmission.

Third generation (2004-present)

Third generation
Production	2004-present
Class	Small family car
Body style(s)	5-door hatchback
Wheelbase	2580 mm (101.6 in)
Length	4460 mm (175.6 in)
Width	1770 mm (69.7 in)
Height	1570 mm (61.8 in)
Related	Audi A3 SEAT León Škoda Octavia

The third generation was introduced in 2004, and it is completely different from the previous two. Abandoning the saloon format, the Toledo Mk III has a very controversial design, penned by Walter de'Silva. It is now closer to a compact MPV with the Altea's front section, a high roof and a rearend inspired in the 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 Volkswagen Golf Mk V. All engines are, fittingly, identical to other Volkswagen Group units, with petrol engines ranging from 102 to 150 PS (75 to 110 kW) and Diesel engines from 105 to 140 PS (77 to 103 kW). Updates include the arrival of a 170 PS (125 kW) TDI engine in 2006, as well as a Tiptronic gearbox in the 2.0 FSI model. A 1.8 L turbocharged version of this engine became availabe in mid 2007.

External links