Although the Seat Altea Freetrack is not a new model at all, it is not so common on our roads. And it looks unusual. It stands out both in the general traffic flow and among its “relatives”.
The fact that this extravagant off-road vehicle is related to the Spanish "Seat family", many understand only by going around the car from all sides and finding on its "face" of an impressive size emblem.
At first glance, the proportions of the Seat Altea Fritrek are out of tune. Designers tried to combine an elegant emotional front end and a brutal body in one car. However, it is precisely this combination of "horse and quivering doe" that makes Altea Freetrack unique. "Cat" eyes-headlights and a small false radiator grille give the SUV a resemblance to the representative of the family of wild cats. Despite its size and performance, the car doesn't look bulky at all. The front bumper, the shape of which allows it to withstand the off-road entry angle, the "feed" in the crossover style - everything indicates that the owner of this car is wayward and freedom-loving.
The impression of the exterior is enhanced when you enter the Fritrek salon. Opening the wide door, you find yourself in ... a sports car!
The seats are upholstered in mixed fabric and shagreen leather with distinct lateral support and a sporty design. The steering wheel can be adjusted in height and reach, it is miniature, with three spokes, with gear shifting “petals” located under it. Seat Altea Fritrek dashboard in the form of "wells" with red illumination and down arrows, with a tachometer in the center. Everything is like in a sports car.
Let's clarify - like in a luxury sports car. The torpedo is made of a noble-looking plastic "carbon-like", it has elegant inserts with perforation in the color of dark chocolate. The two-zone Climatronic system is designed for the comfort of the driver and passengers; on the way they will be entertained by a combined radio / CD / MP3 player, which produces high-quality sound from eight speakers.
Every driver will find in Seat Altea Freetrack the opportunity to realize his own driving style. The seats are not only manually adjustable, but also allow you to take exactly the position that the mood of the driver requires. You can sit high, as if on a throne. Or you can practically lie down, imagining yourself in the role of a tough racer. True, the latter usually has to huddle in the cramped cockpit of a sports car. The same cannot be said about the Altea Freetrack, inside of which there is a lot of space both above the head, and on the sides, and in the back.
By the way, let's pay attention to those who are sitting behind. Not being able to play the role of "Schumacher" or "elephant driver", they, nevertheless, will not get bored on the way. For those riding in the back, the Altea Freetrack offers the same comfort as the business class airlines. A miniature cinema hall with folding tables, such a familiar attribute of air travel, was repeated by the designers inside this "liner on wheels". There is even a monitor mounted in the roof of the SUV! True, it is impossible to watch the DVD installed on the head unit on it. But through the jacks of the console DivX-player and game consoles are connected. An excellent pastime for the family, which the head takes to the dacha - meaningful leisure can be organized.
Everyone will be comfortable, because the luggage “travels separately”: the standard equipment of the Altea Fritrek includes a curtain separating the passenger compartment from the luggage compartment. For the convenience of placing things in the luggage compartment there are hooks.
And how does he behave while driving? Many who are interested in automotive news already know that the all-wheel drive Freetrack uses a Haldex multi-plate clutch. But we will take a different Altea for the test-drav! We will test a 2WD model - front-wheel drive and a DSG “robot”.
Let's start. The first impression is dynamic! Acceleration is smooth and fast, the car reacts quickly and adequately to the addition of gas. In the range from 2000 to 5000 rpm, the TSI turbo engine (2 liters, 211 "horses") pulls this heavy machine excellently. And in automatic mode, the acceleration is excellent. And if you want a drive, you can use manual control.
Smooth ride like a sedan, comfortable overcoming bumps in the road thanks to the rear suspension design - all this is achieved in the SEAT Altea Freetrack due to the golf platform. Although ahead the "bumps" of the road surface are felt more noticeably, but this does not create discomfort. Despite its considerable dimensions, the car does not make "bus" rolls when cornering, very accurately responding to the movement of the steering wheel with electromechanical assistance.
The oversized car, the Seat Altea Freetrack, nevertheless has a quite light turning radius. Rear parking sensors minimize the likelihood of problems when parking in urban environments. There are no problems on the road over which the "mad pedestrian" is running - the clear advantages are disc brakes and an informative brake pedal.
Overall, the car makes a very good impression. It is a reliable, maneuverable and comfortable car for city trips and country trips. The head of the family will fully appreciate the running qualities. The driver should also like, for example, the windshield wipers, cleverly hidden behind the heavy-duty struts. Altea Freetrack's capabilities as a means of transportation are complemented by a comfortable environment for passengers. The salon, made of high quality materials, is equipped with useful gadgets, "stuffed" with pockets for small, but so necessary for travel trifles. Convenient niches allow you to keep the items you need close at hand.
Main technical characteristics:
- engine's type - gasoline, turbocharged, 4-cylinder, 16-valve.
- Displacement: 1984 cm3
- Maximum power, hp / rpm: 211 / 5300-6200
- Maximum torque, Nm / rpm: 280 / (1700 - 5200)
- Fuel type: AI-95/98
- The volume of the fuel tank is 55 liters.
- Transmission - DSG.
- Drive - full (4WD) or front (2WD).
- Acceleration time (from 0 to 100 km), seconds - 7.6 (4WD) / 7.7 (2WD).
- Maximum speed, km / h - 218 (4WD) / 220 (2WD).
- Fuel consumption (average), l / 100 km - 8.4 (4WD) / 8.0 (2WD).
- Dimensions (length x width x height) - 4493 x 1788 x 1622 mm.
- The wheelbase is 2576 mm.
- Clearance - 185 mm.
- Track - 1527 mm.
- Turning circle - 10.4 m.
- Weight (curb / full) - 1531/2151 kg.
Prices on SEAT Altea Freetrack the following order: the front-wheel drive version is sold at a price of 1 million 200 thousand rubles, and the all-wheel drive Altea Fritrek can be bought for 1 million 300 thousand rubles.
