m0rk's 2007 SEAT Altea Freetrack 2.0T 250bhp AWD People Carrier

So, I needed a new car after selling the Octavia a bit prematurely, and running around in a short term Ibiza Cupra was 'fun' but not really the car I needed for work, and hobbies and home

So I bought a SEAT Altea XL, like the family man I am



Oh god, it's one of those awful Freetrack's that has those gopping grey bumpers on it like the Rover Streetwise did.



Looks like I missed something off the badge here, I wonder what that means



Yup, I have one of the few 'UK' 4WD model cars that SEAT imported.

Shame the engines are probably big dull diesels for the school runs.



Hmmm, TFSI? Could it be... the 2.0 TFSI in the Mk5 Golf GTI? With 197bhp standard.



Sure was 197bhp. So I picked it up on Thursday lunchtime. By Thursday evening it had about 250-260bhp thanks to Revotechnik

So here's my new 670bhp driveway, with my 2.0T 260bhp AWD People Carrier.



Oh, and it swallows bikes whole, IKEA trips with ease, 35mpg, cruise control, partial leather, TV screen, parking sensors, blinds, sliding seats, loads

I didn't until about ten days ago!

They weren't exactly popular it seems http://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/vehicle/seat_altea_freetrack_tsi_4wd

Looks like most were left at the port unregistered.

To be honest, it needs better brakes, new tyres & something to sort the roll out at the back of the car. I think I'd quite like more power too - so I've been eyeing a K04 kit at a later date

betty_swollox said:

Was going to say mate, this will be a perfect bike carrier!!

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It had to be a consideration!

That said, the day after I bought the car, I picked up the keys to my new house which is only a mile from the closest trails!

Ryan6926 said:

These look awesome

I've never been a big fan of the back of the Altea as I think they could have done a bit more with the rear lights but the rest of it looks quite nice

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Yeah, it certainly isn't a looker from most angles. It's growing on me, but the amusement factor drew me in far more.

Basically... They're not unpainted like I though, they've gone out of their way to paint them a different colour.

I'd quite fancy a subtle suspension drop to 'normal', and repaint the bumpers to make it a bit more normal looking to help the sleeper ideal.

A while I think. We'll see

It's our 12th SEAT now (I think) - I must be due a free one soon

Repmobiles, so called 'hot' hatches etc

It's been torrential with rain today, but sloshing through water that'd normally cause aquaplaning the Altea felt well planted

Less 'exciting' from a torque steer point of view, and the 4WD dulls the power delivery (wheelspin)

Power understeer is still there if you go into a wet roundabout, mash the throttle. Equally, you can yank the handbrake, with esp off and it'll get you out easily enough.

I'm looking forward to the 24hrs of snow in 7 months time

Went and found some 'off road' today on a fire road round the local forest.

Lots of acceleration & grippy slidey drifty things.

Apparently it looked pretty funny four wheel drifting through gravel

Nope, sadly I have no need for three cars any more that was sold yesterday