From the official Press Release:

At the upcoming Barcelona Motor Show (7-17 June 2007), SEAT will be presenting its first all-road vehicle – the Altea freetrack. After unveiling the prototype version in Geneva, which hinted at the new model’s silhouette, the definitive version can be seen in Barcelona and goes on sale this summer.

With this model, SEAT is making its debut in the SUV segment, an area of the market which has grown considerably in recent years.

Design

The new Altea freetrack is one of the few compact monospace cars on the market featuring clear off-road styling, as well as engines that deliver up to 200 hp.

Based on the Altea XL, the visual enhancements on the new Freetrack include protective moulding below the waistline, as well as the specific plastic front and rear bumpers. These elements lend a rugged and robust image to the new model while also protecting the body when driving off-road.

The exterior stands out with new, exclusive design 17-inch wheels and larger diameter tyres.

The Altea freetrack also has 40 mm more ground clearance than the Altea XL, making it easier for the new model to tackle any kind of terrain.

Technical features

The Altea freetrack is available with four-wheel drive via a Haldex-type arrangement with a hydro-mechanical connection and electronic control.

Under normal use, power is fully transferred to the front wheels, with up to 50% being distributed to the rear wheels when the need arises.

The engine range includes a 200 hp 2.0 TFSI gasoline unit (214 km/h, 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds, average fuel consumption of 9.4 l/100 km) and a 170 hp 2.0 TDI diesel engine (204 km/h, 0-100 km/h in 8.7 seconds, average fuel consumption of 6.8 l/100 km).

Interior

Besides these performance figures, the new Altea freetrack matches the Altea XL in terms of interior space and load capacity: it features a 593 litre boot and the rear seats can slide back by up to 16 centimetres for added legroom.

Equipment

The Altea freetrack will be sold with just one trim level featuring a complete set of standard equipment, including a new multimedia system, which comprises a 7-inch TFT screen hinged on the ceiling and an RCA connection that allows connection to a DVD player, videogames, laptops and even MP3 players.

The Altea freetrack also features new rear window shades as standard, that are hidden inside the doors when not in use, leaving the view unobstructed for rear seat passengers.

Safety highlights include standard ESP (Electronic Stability Control), six airbags, EPS electro-mechanical steering and tyre pressure warning.

The new Altea freetrack has been wholly designed and developed at the SEAT Technical Centre in Martorell, where over 1,000 develop new models.

It will be exclusively made at the SEAT facilities in Martorell, where the Ibiza, Córdoba, Altea, Altea XL, Toledo and León models are also produced.

(Source: Seat)