Geneva motor show 2012: Seat Toledo

This is the new Seat Toledo, a budget mid-range hatchback that could steal sales from big-name rivals such as the Ford Mondeo and Volkswagen Passat when it arrives in UK dealers later this year.

The Seat Toledo that made its debut at the 2012 Geneva motor show was labelled as a concept car, but the production version is expected to be all but identical.

See also: All Geneva motor show 2012 news

Although the Toledo has a traditional saloon shape with a stubby, short boot, its actually a hatchback. At 4480mm long its around 300mm shorter than a Mondeo, but the Seats higher bootline means it has a huge loadbay.

The company claims more than 500 litres of space will be available, which puts it close to the Mondeo's 528 litres. Itll also be well clear of small family hatchbacks such as the VW Golf with its 350 litres. The Toledos rear seats fold, too, to offer even more space.

The Toledos mechanicals can be traced back to the humble Ibiza, so like its sister car, Skodas MissionL, its likely to use small engines. Wed expect it to be launched with a 1.2-litre TSI motor in two states of tune 84bhp and 104bhp and a 1.6-litre diesel with either 89bhp or 104bhp.

The Toledos biggest strength is likely to be price. Itll be marketed strongly as a value proposition, so prices should start between those of the Ibiza and Leon, and considerably less than the Seat Exeo. That means the Toledo could start from as little as 13,500, or more than 2000 less than the cheapest Golf, and more than 4000 cheaper than a Mondeo.

The 2012 Seat Ibiza has also made its public debut at the Geneva show. Its a face-lifted version of Seats supermini, with cosmetic tweaks, upgraded trim and extra kit.

An all-new Seat Leon is also planned for this year; its likely to be unveiled at the Paris motor show in September.

John McIlroy