SEAT Altea XL Freetrack news - Beaten 'track - 2007

Seat is joining the lifestyle SUV parade with a jacked-up Altea XL, which will be called the Freetrack.

Due to be unveiled at the Barcelona motor show in June, the Freetrack has a 40mm raised ride height, 17in alloy wheels, rufty-tufty plastic panels for the off-road look and four-wheel drive.

The four-wheel drive is a part-time system that only sends power to the rear wheels when the fronts begin to slip.

Powering things are either a 197bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine or a 2.0-litre turbodiesel with 167bhp.

The petrol-engined Freetrack is good for 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds and 133mph, while the diesel is no slouch at 0-62mph in 8.7 seconds and 127mph. The diesel returns 41.5mpg and the petrol 30mpg.

There will be just one trim level for the five-seat Freetrack. This will include a DVD player for the kids to watch in the rear seats.

Also included will be climate control, cruise control, parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, rear door blinds and six airbags.

Prices will be announced closer to the Altea Freetrack going on sale in the UK in September.