In the late ’80s, SEAT launched an ambitious project to compete in the Dakar rally. The vehicle developed by SEAT Sport engineers was the spectacular Toledo Marathon, which was run in 1993 and 1994 in the World Cup for Cross Country Rallies.

SEAT Sport had been founded at the end of 1985, and its first prototype competition car had been the four-wheel drive Ibiza Bimotor for the Spanish Gravel Rally Championship. It was followed by the Marbella Proto, also for the gravel national series, but in the two-wheel drive category. SEAT then decided to move on to raids, and at the 1989 Barcelona Motor Show the model of an Ibiza Marathon was unveiled.

However, finally the base chosen for the prototype was the Toledo, SEAT’s latest model, introduced in 1991. But the development of the prototype and the team's experience in raids had already started in 1989. For three seasons, the team chaired by engineer Vicenç Aguilera (he was also responsible for the Martorell Technical Centre) and led by Gaby Cortés took part in the Spanish Championship for Cross Country Rallies. They used other models of the VW Group developed by SEAT Sport, which in 1990 opened a new facility in Abrera, where CUPRA Racing is currently based.

The Toledo Marathon project was to be SEAT's first international program since the Makes’ Trophy won at the 1977 Monte-Carlo Rally. For the return to top-flight competition, SEAT had opted for a series that admitted prototype cars, with a great resemblance to standard vehicles but, at the same time, a wide scope to prove the technological capability of the brand.

The final Toledo Marathon project began in October 1990. The vehicle was developed according to Group T3 international regulations (prototype off-road vehicles). On a multi-tubular structure, the composite bodywork covered up a 330 HP mid-engine, with four-wheel drive, centre locking differential and limited-slip differentials front and rear.

SEAT Sport specially worked on suspensions, very important in this type of events. Its double wishbone design was one of the most advanced and innovative solutions of the Toledo Marathon, with a suspension travel of 30 centimetres. At the same time, the similarity with the original Toledo body was very accomplished.

The final development of the Toledo Marathon took place during 1992, with Josep Maria Servià at the wheel, who had already competed years earlier with the Ibiza Bimotor. To do this, SEAT Sport even built a test track on grounds around the Martorell Technical Centre. Using all the experience and knowledge gained in previous years, a well-balanced, reliable and competitive car was developed.

Finally, the SEAT Toledo Marathon was unveiled at the Barcelona Motor Show in mid-May 1993. A month and a half later, after having completed 5,000 kilometres of testing, the Toledo made its FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies debut in the Baja Portugal, with Servià and co-driver Enric Oller.

The next round was Baja Aragón, where Cyril Neveu drove the second Toledo Marathon car. The team's expectations were confirmed at the Raid of Greece, where Servià led a Toledo Marathon one-two, supported by Antoni Rius and Manel Casanova. It was SEAT’s first international victory.

In 1994, the Toledo Marathon took part in three cross country rallies and always made the podium. Erwin Weber/Manfred Hiemer were second in Baja Portugal and third in Baja Aragón, where Servià was fourth. The Girona driver finished second in the Raid of Greece, in December, the last competition event of the Toledo Marathon.

In 1995 it was planned to compete in the Dakar, but the Toledo Marathon project was ended and, instead, SEAT Sport jumped to the World Rally Championship, where the qualities of the new SEAT Ibiza offered a magnificent platform for a rally car, but this time closely related to the mass-produced vehicle.

So, in 1995 the Group A SEAT Ibiza GTI took over from the Toledo Marathon and finished third in the 2-Litre World Championship for Makes. This lead up to SEAT’s first world title, won by the Ibiza Kit Car in 1996, its first season in the 2-Litre World Championship for Makes. But that's another story...

SEAT HISTÓRICOS keeps in a totally original condition the only surviving unit of the two SEAT Toledo Marathon cars ever built. The vehicle is kept in perfect running order and on several occasions has been tested and profiled in the specialized press.