Expected In : early 2010
Likely Price : Rs 10-12 Lakhs
Skoda plans to launch its small SUV, the Skoda Yeti, in India in early 2010. It will launch the Skoda Yeti at the 2010 Geneva Auto Expo.The Skoda Yeti will be priced at Rs 10 lakhs. There is a good chance that in India, the crossover vehicle will be launched at the 2010 Auto Expo.The Skoda Yeti will close the gap between the Skoda Fabia and the Skoda Octavia, in Skoda’s portfolio in India.
The Exterior
The Skoda Yeti is not really an SUV- a crossover vehicle is more like it; something between a car and an SUV. The Yeti, smarter-looking and less bulky than the usual SUVs, will serve for both urban driving as well as weekend driving. Despite being a two-wheel drive vehicle, its long suspension and high ground clearance makes the Skoda Yeti competent enough for slightly rougher tracks.The Skoda Yeti borrows features from the Skoda Roomster and the VW’s Golf-based Tiguan SUV. The Skoda Yeti is said to have the transmission and brakes of the roomster, and the suspension of the Skoda Fabia.The SUV has a wrapped around windscreen, retro white roof, and roof rails that carry on till the rear of the Skoda Yeti.
The exterior of the 4.2 m long, five door SUV, has an impressive front end with a ribbed grille and amiable headlamps. The sturdy flanks and distinct wings give Skoda Yeti a robust look on the 17 inch wheels. Despite this, Skoda Yeti, doesn't have a bulky appearance. The compact SUV has squared-off lines and, in the front, the recessed fog lights are placed higher.
The Interiors
The interiors are comfortable, and the instruments neatly placed on the dashboard. The Skoda Yeti comes with a cleverly placed bike carrier. The bike carrier can be opened by raising the tailgate’s glass window that hinges at the top, and the bottom part can be lowered in a horizontal position. The number plate flips down while metal struts come up below the bottom part of the tailgate to support the bike carrier, when a button is pressed.
Skoda plans to launch petrol and diesel models of the Skoda Yeti, with 1.6L to 2.0L petrol engines and a 1.9-litre turbo diesel engine.The Skoda Yeti will be put together using kits shipped from Skoda’s Kvasiny plant in the Czech Republic.Skoda Yeti will compete against soon-to-be-launched Tata IndiCruz and Tata Safari, Mahindra Scorpio. The car will be imported as CKD and will be assembled at company’s Aurangabad plant.
India’s car market has lacked a small SUV for a long time, and the Yeti may fill that gap. However, the price of Rs 10 lakh might be a deterrent for any huge sales.Skoda hopes to expand its reach in India, and aims to take its dealerships from 56 to 65, by the end of 2009, in Kanpur, Delhi, Jaipur, Gandhidham, Tiruchi, Bangalore, Salem and Kottayam.Skoda India sold over 9000 cars in April-September 2008, garnering a 68 per cent growth over the same period in 2007.