Skoda Australia has thrown its hat in an already crowded market with the release of the Skoda Yeti. Skoda Australia now strongly believes that it has a car that can bring them main stream stardom.
Carshowroom was on hand at the national launch to put the Skoda Yeti through a tough two day test from Alice Springs to Boggy Creek located in the Fink National Park.
Skoda Yeti Overview
From launch there will be two models available, entry is via the Yeti 77TSI manual front wheel drive ($26,290) with 7 speed DSG transmission attracting a $2300 premium and whilst the, entry is via the Yeti 77TSI front wheel drive ($26,990) and whilst the Yeti 4x4 103TDI manual ($35,690) plus $2,300 of 6 speed DSG transmission.
Those looking for a 4x4 petrol version of the Yeti will need to wait until the first half of 2012 when Skoda will release the Skoda Yeti 118TSI all-wheel drive petrol model, expect the price to be in the low $30,000’s.
Skoda Yeti Engine
Skoda has launched the Yeti with two engine choices the petrol powered 77TSI and the diesel 103TDI as tested in Alice Springs. The turbocharged 1.2-litre TSI engine develops 77kW at 5000 rpm and buyers can choose between a seven-speed DSG transmission or six-speed manual. Fuel consumption on a combined cycle for the manual is 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres 7 litres for the DSG. The 77kWTSI engine produces a maximum of 175 Newton metres of torque which is available between 1550 and 4100 rpm.
The 103TDI Yeti that we drove at launch comes with the four-wheel-drive system that incorporates the Haldex clutch system. The full 103kW is delivered at 4,200 rpm with the TDI engine producing up to 320 Newton-metres of torque between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm. Fuel consumption the 103TDI Yeti is 6.2 l/100kms for the manual transmission or 6.7 l/100kms for the DSG.
Skoda Yeti The Interior
The all new Skoda Yeti has the classic Volkswagen inspired interior that we have come to expect from Skoda. The level of trim and finish on both models is The Skoda 77TSI is dressed in a artificial leather called “Refelx Onyx” while the 103TDI covered in both real leather and artificial leather.
The rear passenger seats feature Skoda’s very own “VarioFlex” seating system. This nifty little systems allows you to configure you rear seating any way you like, it even allow you to remove them completely. With seats in place the load lugging capacity is 310-415 litres, with seats fully removed this jumps to a huge 1665 litres.
Instruments are of usual high standard with clear and easy to read dials. Standard radio on each model is upgradable to the better equipped navigation system. The navigation system comes with 30gb hard drive, 10gb which is dedicated to navigation whilst the rest can be dedicated to your music. The system can also be increased via a SD card up to 32gb. Until next year there is no ipod/iphone connectivity.
Skoda Yeti Exterior & Styling
Skoda lead designer Jozef Kaban has attempted to balance the design between off-road ruggedness and hatchback practicality with the all new Yeti and Carshowroom thinks he has achieved this.
Up front the chrome grille and V-shaped bonnet creases clearly announces to the world that this car is part of the Skoda family. Wrap around headlights and day running/fog lights give the car a cheeky little grin.
Large wheel arches house a set of 16” alloy wheels on the 77TSI, whilst the 4x4103TDI has the larger 17” alloy wheels. Taking stock of the rear the Skoda Yeti has wrap around design that flows in the tailgate. With the high ride the tailgate lifts nice and high which allows easy access to the rear interior space.
Skoda Yeti On The Road
CarShowroom drove the Skoda Yeti on varied roads as part of the launch programme. We drove Yeti at highway speed then along fire tracks and then on to tough 4x4 tracks. The launch drive that the Skoda team took us to the extreme end of where most Yeti would experience in their normal day to day use.
On highway speeds the 103 TDI Yeti performed well with a smooth ride and a very little road noise. So quite in fact we where sure that after 10 minutes off road that these cars would be exposed for being too good to be true, in fact after 2 days of brutal off road driving the car was just as quite on the return leg – hats off to the folks who build these Skoda’s.
The first leg of off road driving in the Skoda Yeti was more of a dirt track/fire trail that you would take any family car along, which is as off road as most people get these days in modern day compact SUV’s. After a 30 or so minute drive along gentle tracks we finally got to see how the Skoda Yeti would handle in decent off road conditions.
With ground clearance of only 180mm the Skoda Yeti is never going to cross the highest mountain or the deepest gorge in Australia, but it will get you across soft sand and rocky river beds. The four-wheel drive in Yeti is controlled through the fourth generation Haldex clutch. The clutch responds immediately depending on the driving situation and traction of each individual wheel.
The Yeti’s four-wheel-drive system works in conjunction with both the ABS and ESC systems to ensure that safety and stability is maintained at all times. When the ESC system is engaged, control of the Haldex clutch is taken over by ABS/ESC control unit. When the ABS system is called into action, the Haldex clutch is decoupled.
Skoda Yeti Challenges
Skoda is still somewhat of unknown here in Australia and that may make some people baulk at the high asking price on the 4x4 103TDi. Saying that if they get behind the wheel they will be in for a pleasant surprise.
The other factor that may stop people from buying the 4x4 Yeti is the lack of petrol variant at launch. Hopefully Skoda can get the petrol variant down under as soon as possible, as with that model in the line-up they might just be on to a winner.
Skoda Yeti Verdict
The Skoda Yeti is a late comer to the party but this little cheeky upstart from the Czech Republic might just have enough moves to fit your family’s requirements. The well priced 77TSI is perfect for the couple or family or have no desire to do any 4x4.
If you still undecided by the Yeti wait for the petrol variant to be released in the first half of 2012.
Skoda Yeti The Competition
Where do you begin? This segment is one of the busiest segments in the Australian new car market. Nissan must be doing something right as the Dualis is the bestselling car in this segment and must be worth a test drive.
The Hyundai 1x35/Kia Sportage have sharp pricing and a great warranty period, also we think the Kia is one of the best looking cars of 2011.
With the price of the diesel pushing $38,000 you could also jump in to a Subaru Forster.
Skoda Yeti Likes:
Interior flexibility, Skoda build quality
Skoda Yeti Dislikes:
Lack of USB connectivity, 4X4 pricing on the high side.
