Launched at the 1991 Barcelona Motor Show, SEAT's Toledo was the first model of the brand developed entirely under the Volkswagen Group. Designed by Giorgio Giugiaro, it introduced a breakthrough concept at the time: a 3-box saloon with a large tailgate. Version 2.0i GT was powered by a driveable 2-litre, 115 HP engine.

But the Toledo represented much more than a new model. It was the culmination of one of the greatest challenges a car manufacturer had ever faced. The Toledo was SEAT's third major project after the split with the previous technical partner, following the Ronda/Malaga and Ibiza, all developed at SEAT's Technical Centre in Martorell and powered by the SEAT System Porsche engines.

Instead, the Toledo was the first SEAT whose range got engines from the Volkswagen Group. However, it was not the first SEAT powered by a VW engine: that honour went to the 1990 Terra Diesel van.

The Toledo was the substitute for the SEAT Malaga, but its concept was much more modern. Giugiaro's Ital Design work for SEAT was a compact 4.3-meter saloon, but with the peculiarity of having 5 doors, thus combining the elegance of a 3-box car with the practicality of a hatchback. So the Toledo had a cavernous trunk of 550 litres (greater even than that of Malaga, which was already huge) and, in addition, its capacity could be doubled by folding the rear seats.

This was one of the main reasons for its success in the medium-high saloon segment, along with good performance and fuel efficiency, and great comfort and road-holding. The quality of the Toledo project (more than 4 years of development at the Martorell Technical Centre) marked the coming of age of the new SEAT.

Toledo's initial line-up was made of six petrol and diesel engines, combined with four trim levels: CL, GL, GLX and GT. The GT was the highest in the range and was available with the two most powerful engines: the 2.0 115 HP and the 1.8 16v 128 HP. In 1995, the latter was replaced by a 2.0 16v of 150 HP. Later that year, the Toledo also received the famous 90 HP TDI diesel engine and, a year later, the 110 HP TDI.

Besides, the Toledo was the first SEAT with ABS anti-lock brakes, as standard in this GT trim. The Toledo GT was distinguished from the rest of the range by its alloy wheels, bumpers and sill panels in body colour, the discreet and well integrated rear spoiler, the on-board computer and the GT logo on the grille, sill panels, tail lights and steering wheel.

Toledo's new dynamic style was also noticeable in features such as the retroreflector linking the two tail lights. The effect was similar to that of the current Leon IV, with tail lights that stretch from coast to coast.

On the other hand, the Toledo was the last new model built at the SEAT plant in Barcelona's Zona Franca, since the 1993 Ibiza II was manufactured from the beginning in the new Martorell factory (although the Marbella continued to be built at Zona Franca when the Toledo also moved to Martorell in 1994).

Closely linked to Barcelona, the Toledo came on to the market at a very exciting time for the city, shortly before the 1992 Olympic Games. SEAT was an active partner of the event and the Toledo was the star model of the 2,000-car fleet that SEAT gave to the organization. In addition, SEAT built in the Technical Centre the Toledo Electric Olympic prototype, a fully-electric version of the Toledo that was used in the Olympic marathon (according to IOC regulations it had to be opened by a zero-emission vehicle).

SEAT HISTÓRICOS keeps this Toledo 2.0i GT, manufactured in 1994. It is still a 1st series model, before the slight restyling the Toledo received in 1995, which barely altered its line. The only differences of this unit from the first Toledo GT are on the cabin, with a new upholstery and a new steering wheel with airbag and without the GT logo. The car is in perfect running order and, despite its still fully modern technology, it's beginning to deserve consideration as a classic vehicle.