Silver is on the slide! Last year, compared to 2005, new car registrations in the UK saw buyer colour preference change. Black jumped from third to second. Silver stayed most popular at number one but the number declined. Riding on the wave of this trend, Seat has launched a menacing new version of its Toledo, available in Black alone.
Figures taken from new UK car registrations (to nearest 1,000/source: SMMT) show
2005 1) Silver 726,000 / 2006 1) Silver 671,000
2005 2) Blue 543,000 / 2006 2) Black 522,000
2005 3) Black 497,000 / 2006 3) Blue 521,000
2005 4) Grey 272,000 / 2006 4) Grey 309,000
2005 5) Red 171,000 / 2006 5) Red 192,000
The new model, aimed to challenge the Renault Laguna and Peugeot 407 in the fleet user market is a 5 door hatchback with saloon car overtones that boasts more MPV-like space and flexibility. A Toledo Sport owner is most definitely a free-thinker who wants to be different, but not brash.
At the London Motor Show last July the new Seat Toledo Sport attracted unprecedented interest and was summarised as a car with visual drama. While the Toledo’s shape has always challenged conventions, the Sport’s extensive array of enhancements significantly boosts its on-road presence. Undisputed is the head-turning look, when one sees the stark contrast between the gleaming 18” BBS alloy wheels and the ‘Black Magic’ metallic paint.
The Toledo's engine is a Seat 2.0-litre TDI diesel with 140 PS, which is combined with cutting-edge DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) transmission. This revolutionary technology blends the best aspects of manual and automatic gearboxes, while also reflecting Seat's heavy involvement in UK motorsport (the Leon Cupra race car from the SEAT Cupra Championship uses DSG).
Impressively the Toledo will shift from rest to 62 mph in 9.9 seconds before going on to a top speed of 125 mph, where permitted. Yet despite the strong performance, fuel consumption is remarkably frugal, with a combined figure of 47.1 mpg and CO2 emissions of 162 g/km.
Equipment plentyful; leather upholstery with heated front seats, dual zone climate control, ESP (Electronic Stabilisation Programme), full bodykit, 18” BBS alloy wheels, rain-sensor wipers, MP3-compatible CD player with steering wheel-mounted controls and AUX IN socket for iPods etc, integrated Bluetooth handsfree phone connection, cruise control, four electric windows, dark tinted windows and rear parking sensors.
The price a surprisingly reasonable £18,995 RRP, OTR. Which should leave most buyers in the black, not the red.
For more information call Durham Seat on 0845 112 5011 (local rate)