Skoda Yeti Confirmed For Late 2010, FWD And AWD Variants Planned

2011 Skoda Yeti Front Three-Quarter View
May 24, 2010
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SKODA AUSTRALIA has confirmed that the versatile Yeti crossover is on its way, and it's gunning for a significant slice of the small softroader market.

Speaking with TMR at the launch of the 2010 Skoda Superb Wagon, Skoda representatives confirmed the Yeti will be in Australian showrooms later this year, in both front- and all-wheel-drive layouts.

Engine choices for the local market have yet to be confirmed, but with the Yeti offering a 77kW 1.2 litre and a 118kW 1.8 litre petrol engine alongside three 2.0 litre turbo-diesels in Europe, the focus will undoubtedly be on frugality rather than rock-hopping grunt.

The 1.2 TSI petrol is available only as a front-driver, as is the lower-spec 81kW 2.0 TDI. The rest of the Yeti range will be all-wheel-drive and, coupled with the crossover wagon's tall ride height, should allow some limited off-road thrills.

skoda yeti 05

The Yeti's launch date is still too distant to speculate on pricing or trim levels, but Skoda Australia aims to offer a comprehensive level of standard equipment across the Yeti range.

A precise retail sticker price has not yet been decided, but Skoda Australia CEO Matthew Wiesner has confirmed that the FWD Yeti line-up will start below $30,000.

The rest of the range will be priced similarly to the Volkswagen Tiguan, with which it shares much of its 4Motion all-wheel-drive underpinnings.

With its urban utility and genuine off-road ability, Skoda is optimistic that the Yeti will quickly become one of  its best-selling models in Australia.

Article updated from 2009 entry.


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Comments

  • Mike [reply]
    1 year ago 1 points
    Apparently the only auto gearbox option available in the UK where Yeti is being introduced next moth (Sept '09) is front-drive only. This is crazy, surely Skoda can manage an auto box with 4WD (they've done it with Superb, and dozens of models use Haldex 4WD system with auto in Europe, including the Tiguan on which the Yeti's based!) The Superb V6 even has 4wd mated to the DSG box, what on earth is Skoda holding back for?

    I can't see Skoda selling too many Yetis in this country unless there's a 4WD/auto available (preferably diesel) and this is also a problem for Skoda with the Scout and the diesel Roomster. Very few people want manual gearboxes in this class, and let's face it, there are no shortage of competitors- Skoda's advantage could, and should be the availability of diesel/auto/4wd which is rare in this (and most other) classes. Yeti would certainly be high on my list of contenders if it's released with auto box.

    Another point in Yeti's favour (at least compared to Tiguan) is the better choices of body colour and interior materials, assuming Skodas main site has choices available to us Aussies (not always a given!) Presumably too, Yeti options will be less expensive than VW's outrageous asking prices.
  • Matt [reply]
    11 months ago -1 points
    It won't get past the "border patrol" in their Toyotas though lol. Man that ad cracks me... "put the hair dryer down"
  • skoda dealer [reply]
    9 months ago -1 points
    You should really do some homework before posting these things. I am a Skoda salesman and of the 12 units a month we are doing 50% is the manual TDi Scout. Not big numbers in anyones terms but for a product that 90% of people know FA about it is still a high proportion.

    Yeti will be the brand launcher for Skoda with or without or negativity
  • Mike [reply]
    9 months ago 1 points
    Skoda salesman, you'd double your units sold if Scout came in an auto version. Ditto the Yeti, when it's released. Few people want manual boxes these days, it's a fact of life. Personally, I wouldn't have one in a pink fit. What's so bloody hard about 4wd and auto anyway? VW manage it, and as my first post intimated, other Euro makes with Haldex systems can manage auto boxes (or automated manuals), why can't Skoda? Could it be they can't be bothered? Skoda makes a terrific product, it's a shame to lose 60% of potential buyers because of NO AUTO OPTION!
    • [reply]
      3 months ago -1 points
      Mike, respect your opinion. But I have to say your enthusiasm about auto transmission provides a snapshot of our society nowadays: lazier, fatter and want everything easy way.

      It is a scientific fact that manual drivers use more brain and muscle than auto drivers. C'mon, Mike, come back to manual club.
    • Wheelnut [reply]
      3 months ago 0 points
      Mike Skoda will be releasing the Scout with a 6 Speed Dual Clutch Automatic in December this year. Because Skoda Oz CEO says 90% of potential Skoda customers ask if the Scout is available in Automatic.. then leave when they find out that its not [that is of course after finally being able to find a Skoda showroom]

      Skoda currently sell 10-15 Scouts a month [in Australia]. Yet; they expect that when the Auto Scout is released sales will increase to around 90-100 scouts a month - However; that's 6 months away... and anything can happen between now and then ;-)
  • ozedude [reply]
    9 months ago -2 points
    Mike, i have a solution. Why don't you and other Aussies actually learn how to drive. Problem solved.
  • Mike [reply]
    9 months ago 2 points
    What problem, dude? I was probably driving manuals before you were conceived, I'm over it now. You one of those wackers that think they're superior because they can wriggle a knob?
  • dave [reply]
    9 months ago -1 points
    Huh, auto (assuming 4 speed if they put it in) diesel with 80kw. Awesome. I'd be choosing the manual everytime. If you dont like manuals buy something else (an exciting corolla wagon maybe)
  • Mike [reply]
    9 months ago 0 points
    The Yeti comes with several diesel options, including the 103kW and 125kW engines used elsewhere in VW range. Its cousin, the Tiguan, comes with a torque converter auto box in diesel, other Euros using Haldex 4WD system have DSG boxes. I've driven a Skoda with the DSG box and it was brilliant.

    For what it's worth part of my dislike of manual boxes comes from having owned both types, and having had far more mechanical trouble with manual boxes compared to autos.
  • Mike [reply]
    9 months ago 1 points
    The auto in the Tiguan (same floorpan as Yeti) is a 6-speed, by the way. The DSG Skoda uses behind diesel in Octavia is a 6-speed (7-speed in turbo petrol models). So, Dave, your info re Skoda is way out of date.
  • Dave [reply]
    9 months ago 0 points
    hmm, i dont think it is. While I agree its very likely they would use a vw gearbox, wouldnt it be counterproductive to put their best gearbox in a skoda, sort of defeats the purpose of having vw....

    Given there is no info on the diesel auto (as it doesnt exist) I'd say Im neither wrong nor right....both points of view are unproven.

    More problems with manual than auto....could this be a driver issue?
  • Skoda Dealer [reply]
    8 months ago 0 points
    Dave, you are wrong!! Nowhere in any country has Skoda used a 4 speed box in the last 3-4 years. The diesel option when it arives will be the 103kw CRd that is in the VW now and will initially be mated with a man but will then have am option of the 6 speed box in the Tiguan later this year.

    The initial stock of petrol 1.2 ltr turbo engines will have the optional 7 speed DSG in the line up.

    To say that by offering these or having them in the skoda range makes VW pointless is like saying Audi is pointless becuase it to shares the same engines chassis and transmissions as the VW and Skoda, it really highlights you are reasonably uneductaed in these matters and should spend sometime on the WWW thing and bring yourself up to speed, at this point in time Dave Google is your best friend.
  • B & R Hinton [reply]
    7 months ago 1 points
    Anything coming in around A$24,000-$25,000 looks quite promising. We have looked at Jimny and this was O.K. but my husband found that it requires more leg room and Yeti seems to have covered that quite nicely. A release date and test drive information would be wonderful. Thank You.
  • Timothy [reply]
    7 months ago 1 points
    24-25k is being a little silly as this is a car that gas been listed by Gernans Autobild magazine as a better vehicle than the VW Tiguan, sighting it's interior quality was mire Audi like.

    Under $30k means $29,990 fir a base manual before on roads. All things considered though this will leave the competition for dead because 99% of buyers in this class would not need the 4wd.

    I hope they don't do what VW are notorious for, bring in a hand full of cars and then make potential owners forward order and wait 4-5 months. This audience can walk into Nissan, Honda and Toyota and get a car now. A huge portion of the audience will be new mums first child, they can't wait for months for obvious reasons.

    I'll be trading in the Golf for the 1.2ltr Dsg, the Tiguan by all accounts is lesser quality and has less safety than the Yeti, it's a no brainer
  • Skodaman [reply]
    7 months ago 0 points
    Skoda have confirmed the Yeti for July 2010 launch so dealerships should see them in June. 1.2Tsi man and 7 speed DSG, as well as the small 80kw,103kw, 125kw TDi, and 118TSi manual only.

    More auto stock will be launched towards the end of 2010, this is what another online report has described.

    Hope it's true, i can't wait.
  • mjm [reply]
    3 months ago 1 points
    I have been following the Yeti online for a while. The auto is not an issue for me. But the spare wheel is. I understand that a spare wheel of any kind is not standard, you can option a spare (space saver), but that involves a false floor in the boot. This seems to compromise one of the best features of the yeti, which is the flexibility of the interior.

    Otherwise, it looks like a great new entry into the market, but for a 4x4 machine in Australia the spare wheel isse really needs to be addressed. But if prices are going to be at VW tiguan levels for the 4x4 models, i don't really see how Skoda is going to get more market share?

    Just my thoughts...
  • [reply]
    3 months ago -1 points
    I really do like the Yeti, and very much looking forward to its arrival in Australia. It could prove a worthy replacement to my Octavia RS (especially if don't have to worry about the ground clearance every time I'm on a dirt road...) especially in the 125kW 2.0TDI. Skoda Australia, get the 1.4TSI man + DSG 2WD/4WD, 2.0TDI 125kW manual/103kW DSG 4WD and 1.8TSI manual 4WD here ASAP. Specs should be a two-step equation (2WDs the base model with 4WDs receiving more equipment as standard for extra cost) and a $32k starting price for a 4WD would be great!

    As for equipment, ESP/9-airbags/ABS, climatic air-con, rear parking sensors, 16-inch alloys, foglamps, cloth trim etc should be standard on 2WD models, 4WDs adding the 17-inch alloys, climatronic air-con, electric folding mirrors, light/rain sensors, corner foglamps, 6-CD touch-screen Bolero radio with 8-speakers, front parking sensors etc. optionally would be xenon headlamps, sat-nav, panoramic roof, leather/heated seats and a 12-speaker sound system. I'd like to see a VW-style package system too, like a smart pack with the xenons and leather for $3k etc. That'd be cool.
  • [reply]
    1 month ago 1 points
    Seeking answers about the Yeti
    Do we have a confirmed Australian release date?
    Do we know what models will be auto here?
    Is the new 1.4 tsi coming out? In auto?

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