BRITAIN'S business fleet market gains a new contender next spring with the launch of the new SEAT Toledo.

The sleek four-door is aimed squarely at the heartland of the medium sector where most new cars are sold in the UK.

The car, which is expected to be priced from £14,000 to £18,000, will come with a three-year unlimited mileage warranty and a host of electronic systems to help braking, steering and stability. Top specification models will have four airbags, with side airbags and twin front airbags combined with front seatbelt pre-tensioners.

Rear view door mirrors have a 'kerb finding' ability, dipping automatically whenever reverse gear is selected and top of the range models will be powered by a new 2.3-litre V5 model.

The car will be the first SEAT to have electric front seats with a three-driver memory.

As many as 90 per cent of new Toledo sales are predicted to go to business users according to the Spanish car maker. Of these, at least a quarter will be on contract hire.

Robert Couldwell, SEAT UK's business marketing manager, said: "The Toledo will compete strongly on low running costs, high equipment levels, desirability and value retention. It is a very serious challenger in the medium sector."

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