SEAT Altea FR Review
Published: 21st April 2007
SEAT Altea FR
On the motorway you can happily sit in sixth gear at 70 mph and still have more than adequate power to overtake with having to resort to a gear change.
Whilst touring we did struggle to get more than 35mpg, even with a relatively light right foot, which was s a little bit disappointing.
In summary the 2.0-litre TDI engine is very good, noise suppression is excellent although at low speed and when the engine is cold there is no denying this a diesel. Otherwise given the flexibility and delivery of power I doubt I would even look at the petrol version.
The SEAT Altea 1.9 TDI FR is equipped with a 6-speed manual gearbox which was fluid and easy to operate - taking best advantage of the engines flexibility.
How It Drove - Ride/Handling
SEAT have modified the chassis of the Altea, the basic suspension is the same but the front springs are about 15% firmer while the anti-roll bars are thicker. The front anti-roll bar has been widened from 23 to 23.6 millimetres, while the one at the rear has grown from 19.6 to 21.7 millimetres. As a result of these modifications, the body is now seven millimetres lower than even the Altea Reference Sport, with its sports suspension.
As the FR model is fitted with sports suspension the first thing you notice is how hard the ride is. I live out in country and our local roads are appalling - so you do feel every imperfection, woe betide you going into a pothole. But this pays some dividends in the handling department with a good level of grip and minimal body roll for quite a tall vehicle.
