THE wraps are off the all-new Seat Toledo, which is due to arrive here early next year.
The futuristic newcomer made its debut in its native Spain this week, in the guise of a prototype, imaginatively named Prototipo.But the Spanish manufcacturer makes it clear that this innovative saloon previews the look and characteristics of the production Toledo.
It will be the second model in the new generation SEAT range which began with the Altea, featuring characteristic cats' eye headlamps and a pronounced grille with the windscreen wipers hidden in the windscreen pillars.
From the outside its most striking feature is the stepped rear hatch, which provides access to a 500-litre capacity boot which is two-tiered, with a moveable shelf that can be set at different heights to divide the space. The boot floor has compartments with moveable panels, and a diverse array of cubby holes, hooks and nets providing still more storage solutions.
Inside, there is leather for the upholstery, steering wheel, gearknob, instrument hood, armrests and lower console.
The large centre console, slightly oriented towards the driver, houses the audio, navigation and climate control systems and has a titanium-coloured surround.
The front sport seats have multiple adjustments and pockets, and folding trays in the back. To increase boot space the rear seat slides forward, and also folds completely flat.
Both front seat headrests can accommodate seven-inch colour screens mounted in the back for viewing from the rear seat.
Viewing options, which are either television or DVD are chosen by individual credit card-sized remote controls or buttons at the base of the front central armrest. The screens can be used to show the same or different programmes and each screen has individual headphones.
When the car is parked, the front seat occupants can also watch television or a DVD on the 6.5-inch screen, which is used for satellite navigation on the move.
This screen is independent of the rear screens, so everyone can watch what they want, and if they all choose to watch the same programme the sound can be played through the vehicle's audio system.
The prototype model is powered by the same two-litre petrol engine and six-speed manual gearbox combination that is available in the Altea.