Take your SEATs for a new experience
WITH car design reaching a point where optimum factors are being attained in both style and performance, the question of new designs has, up to now been a question of fine tuning.
But suddenly the bubble bursts and some manufacturers take a way-out approach to maintain interest and give a refreshing share of new technology. And it seems to work. Look at the praise heaped on the Citroen C4 for instance.
Now SEAT is taking the highly individual route with its designs. Anyone who expected the new Toledo to be a three-box saloon, roughly based on an Audi stablemate, would be sadly mistaken.
Take the new five-door Toledo. Gone is the old shape and in is a new look which is a subtle interbreeding of a large hatchback and small MPV.
It features stacks of room, superb comfort and a wrap-around screen rear end that is reminiscent of Renault thinking.
It takes a few minutes to mentally slot this vehicle into the SEAT compartment in the mind. It was like the day Honda scrapped the Civic saloon in favour of a continental wedge shape.
And the idea works beautifully. The Toledo I drove felt just right, combining a lively performance from its two-litre turbo diesel with a high degree of functionality and a very smooth driving experience.
It feels a little like an MPV to drive and is one of the pioneers of a new wave of vehicles that are combining the best of both worlds.
Engine options include 1.6 and 2.0 petrol and 2.0 four cylinder diesels.
Toledo is the second new generation SEAT after the Altea and is first and foremost a family car. It bristles with technogical features that include a Bluetooth system for hands free mobile communication.
Toledo’s boot has a three-level boot and maximises on interior space. Above all it is a beauty to drive and I believe it will transport the SEAT name to new heights of success.