SEAT altea test drive since 2009 minivan

Seat Altea Freetrack: Extraordinary crossover

While most formal competitors famously remove the cream from the heated and continuing to grow market, it only begins to struggle for a place under the Russian sun. His success or failure will determine whether the manufacturer will be conveyed to us why and most importantly - who needs such a model. Seat Altea Freetrack.
There was no SEAT crossover in the line. Now it is. As a basis, the Spaniards took the elongated version of Altea compact, supplied with a powerful motor, all -wheel drive and, finally, increased the road clearance. So, a new player appeared in the popular segment.
But as the car press does not call it: the sports compact, and the family crossover, and even minivan. Although the second part of the name seems to be clearly characterized by the purpose of the machine: Freetrack means freely moves along the roads of different quality. And its main overall characteristic of the road clearance in 185 mm. 40 mm more than that of the city Altea XL.
Why is it hard to call him a crossover? The hood line practically continues the line of the windshield, together they create a characteristic look more likely for minivan. You can’t argue with the stereotype: after all, the crossovers familiar to us by the cargo terminology are hooded. And then everything mixed up! Seat created an almost single -collar, and even sports, and even family - the Spaniards position their models as sports and family
Differences in the external design of Freetrack and other seats are difficult to find. Behind the crossover stands Toledo, a little further Leon, even further the donor Altea XL. Glove this four past you in the city you will not understand that one of the cars is intended not only for asphalt roads.
Features of the interior is different. Although the instrument panel and the central console is different from similar in Altea XL or TOLEDO in the main color. Plus the differences in the little things, such as the shape of the handle of the checkpoint. And even in the maximum configuration (it is the only one in Russia), the crossover has a whole set of drawers under the ceiling, and the latter hides the rear passengers on the road can watch DVD.
Freetrack liked the seats with tangible lateral support (after all, 200 hp assumes an aggressive driving manner). The steering wheel here is very chubby, and even with thickenings under the grip for me not the most convenient option. The console with an audio system and a separate climate control designer success, although it would be even better for me to continue it down so that it smoothly flowed into the central tunnel.
The ALTEA Freetrack all -wheel drive provides an electro -hydraulic multi -disc sleigh Haldex. In the case of slipping the front wheels, the rear axle is connected, in normal road conditions the car is driven on the front wheels. The Haldex system is installed on many modern models, including Crossovers - Freelander II, Ford Kuga, all -wheel drive cars VW Group.
Technical filling Altea Freetrack Volkswagen. For example, a 2.0-liter 200-horsepower TFSI engine; Probably a dozen VW Group models have the same. The six -speed mechanical gearbox is also not a curiosity. By the way, it (or rather the lack of automatic transmission) is an obvious minus for the model. Crossovers are preferred with machine guns
However, on the test and mechanical all -wheel drive SEAT leaves a thorough impression. Juicy, whole car; and 200 liters. With. For a car weighing less than one and a half tons, this is more than enough. Acceleration in a wide range of revolutions turns out to be impressive both sitting in the car, and those who travel in the neighboring rows.
But we are moving off the stars in front of the flat road ahead. On the standard Altea you can’t go here, but you have not forgotten from the body to the ground 185 mm!
The electric power capture works very smartly and control, even in steep turns at maximum speeds, does not have to steal problems. The suspension swallows irregularities, significantly softening unpleasant body blows. And swinging is small, although the rolls, of course, are more than the city versions! Clear gear shift, there are no intelligible brakes, freeatrack is not what is not bad is very good! Bright car!
But - one engine, one box, one equipment when there will still be cars with an automatic machine, a 140 -horsepower diesel, a drive on the front wheels? The latest version may not be so relevant in Russia, but the first two are probably.
И главное. Altea Freetrack дебютант в сегменте кроссоверов. Первое поколение модели. Seat по большому счету новичек на нашем рынке. Стоит ли удивляться, что мои собеседники (автолюбители со стажем, но не фанаты автопрома) узнав, что я тестировал на этот раз, завалили меня вопросами. Первым из который был: А что это?

Текст: Филипп Березин
Фото: Роман Останин

 
 
   
   
 

Source: Журнал «Колеса» [август 2008]