Skoda Readying 7-Seat SUV: Report

Skoda is developing a new seven-seat SUV to sit above the current Yeti SUV, according to reports out of the US this week.

While the Skoda brand is not offered in the SUV-hungry US market, website Leftlane News suggests the model will launch by 2015, primarily targeting the Chinese and Russian markets.

If the report is accurate, the new model could materialise as a version of Volkswagen’s CrossBlue SUV concept revealed in Detroit.

The Skoda SUV would therefore sit on an enlarged version of the Volkswagen Group’s modular MQB structure, and likely compete with the Hyundai Santa Fe/Kia Sorento SUV twins.

This scheme would join an ongoing platform sharing arrangement, including the Up-based Citigo city car, Polo-based Fabia and Roomster, Golf-based Octavia small car, Tiguan-based Yeti, and Passat-based Superb models.

Currently, the Czech brand’s global SUV offerings are limited to the five seat Yeti, and Leftlane suggests that a larger seven-seater could be key to realising Skoda’s target volume of 1.8 million vehicles by 2018. 

Australia

With the new model yet to be officially confirmed, its too early to speculate on local availability.

However, with the majority of Skoda’s existing lineup making it to our shores, a seven-seat SUV would make a logical addition.

• Skoda | 7-Seat SUVs | Family Cars