Predictably, Skoda’s Australian International Motor Show reveal of its Yeti compact SUV was accompanied by a cute bear-like character familiar to toddlers.
But the Yeti isn’t cute – it looks like a competent and robust crossover and multiple European awards confirm it is.
Skoda says the Yeti will be on-sale locally sometime in 2011, but the scarcity of information presented at the Motor Show suggests it may be later rather than sooner.
What we do know is Volkswagen’s Czech Republic brand offers the Yeti in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations (the latter with Volkswagen’s usual Haldex clutch system which adds an ‘Off-Road’ button to inject revised throttle and hill-start/hill-descent operations).
Engines for the front-drive models are a 1.2-litre petrol and 1.8-litre diesel, while the range-topping AWD version scores a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel.
And as part of the Volkswagen Group, Skoda takes safety seriously with the Yeti boasting most of the latest aides and up to nine airbags.
Inside are the predictable Skoda innovations – highlighted by three individual seats in the second row. You have to wonder why all brands don’t follow the lead of the Czechs (or was it the Germans?) on this one – as well as offering improved seating for the rear seat occupants, the system provides enhanced load-carrying versatility.
Clever as the Yeti may be, Skoda is tossing it into one of the most competitive market segments in Australia. Skoda Australia wouldn’t talk dollars the Motor Show, but realistically, the Yeti will need to match the pricing of Nissan Dualis or Kia Sportage to succeed.
