Search Car Reviews



See all makes



Skoda Yeti family set to grow

Skoda family expands with new versions of class leader, plus, Czech VW Up! due next year

Skoda Yeti family set to grow

By Richard Yarrow

04th March 2011

The smash hit Skoda Yeti – Auto Express’s Car of the Year 2010 – is going to spawn a family!

Bosses are promising the biggest growth initiative in the firm’s history, with a fresh model every six months – and that will include new smaller and larger versions of the rugged crossover.

Dr Eckhard Scholz, Skoda board member in charge of technical development, told us: “In the future, I think there’s enough space in this class for cars that are bigger and smaller than the Yeti. It’s an important segment for us because this model has been very successful.” 

At launch in 2009, the Yeti was praised for its build quality, well judged looks and handling on the road. It’s one of the hottest properties in the crossover sector, with long waiting lists. As we reported in Issue 1,155, the maker unveiled a smarter, simpler version of its green ‘winged arrow’ badge at Geneva on the front of a new hatch concept called Vision D. 

The sleek white car previews Skoda’s fresh family face and, as we revealed, points to the next Octavia. But it also hints at the eagerly anticipated compact car that will sit between the family model and the Fabia supermini. This will be 4.20 metres long with a large liftback rear, and is due to appear in the UK early in 2013. The first production Skoda to get the revised nose will be the NSF, or New Small Family – the firm’s version of the VW Up! city car. 

This will go on sale in the first half of next year, but Scholz revealed there will be no diesel. An electric version is expected, as Skoda has previously committed to having one on sale by 2017.

For an alternative review of the latest Skoda Yeti visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

What Next

For more breaking car news and reviews, subscribe to Auto Express magazine. We'll give you 6 issues for £1 and a free gift!

< Previous   Next >

Sponsored Results

14 Comments

Yet more Yetis?

I can see the argument for, say, a 7-seater Yeti based on the styling of the existing model, but if Skoda choose to go smaller with a Yeti derivative, it will have to look a lot funkier.
The current Yeti has practicality as its main weapon, which would be compromised by a smaller body, so another USP is required - such as more exciting looks.

By snappyuk on 8 March, 2011, 8:29am

Depp

Skoda means - Damage. Who really need Skoda? Near the Volkswagen Tiguan? Near Ford Kuga? My God.

By Depp1 on 8 March, 2011, 8:35am

What on earth?

Depp
Skoda means - Damage. ??
What on earth is that supposed to mean? Please explain your comment - in English!

By j_harden on 8 March, 2011, 9:38am

What on earth?

Depp
Skoda means - Damage. ??
What on earth is that supposed to mean? Please explain your comment - in English!

By j_harden on 8 March, 2011, 9:42am

Serial negative poster

j_harden: I think you'll find Depp1 is a serial poster of negative comments about the Yeti. Similar unfounded drivel is to be found in the comments in the Yet's award of AE Car of The Year.

If they bring this out in a 7-seater it will definitely be bought to replace our VW Touran.

By Pigley on 8 March, 2011, 10:34am

Serial Skoda hater

Depp really hates Skoda's - I think he's left negative comments for all the Skoda range. Perhaps he run over by one as a child (i.e. last week).
On another note, I wonder how much technology VW will continue to prevent Skoda from using. They have already taken some away from the Fabia, and I don't doubt will continue to reign in further advances. Shame, as this may deter people from buying.

By Daren on 8 March, 2011, 12:13pm

Image Manipulation...

VW must be in a quandary just now. Currently, the Skoda badge has better market appeal than VW's own, and they only have themselves to blame as it was VW who let the cat out of the bag, so to speak. Oh how the suits must be squirming at VAG headquarters.

So, what do they do? If they hamstring Skoda too much they will effectively be cutting into their own revenue stream. Maybe they could always spin Skoda off? VW aren't stupid and they must know that Skoda probably possess enough momentum now to take the fight fully to VAG's door should that happen, which leaves an option that would have seemed unbelievable ten years ago: Make Skoda the mainstream VAG brand.

This would mean a huge shakeup at VAG and the loss of at least one of the brands, and believe me when I say every mainstream VAG brand is in the frame here.

Personally , believe the decision should be to spin-off Audi, move the VW brand up-market (which has been happening by default anyhow), promote Skoda to the middle tier and leave Seat to do what they do best, which is to make fun and cheap small cars.

By sgtgrash on 8 March, 2011, 1:34pm

To Depp

Sorry Depp, you are sick man....

By pitrys on 8 March, 2011, 2:41pm

What does Depp know about cars

Sorry Depp, Skoda is a success story, once free of communist shackles and given the use of good quality metals this one time aircraft maker's engineering skill has blossomed, and Skoda is now a true competitor to VAG and better value.

By Bobbybev on 8 March, 2011, 11:14pm

skoda yeti .

loved my test drives in both 1.6D and 2.0d yeti.nicely finished inside but the van-like exterior put me off.if skoda can get those looks right, as , say kia have with sportage, then they will have a best seller!!!

By stuckinkerry on 10 March, 2011, 12:44am

I love my Yeti

I've had a 2.0D yeti for just under a year now, and it's great - fun to drive, handles well, practical, we've been on some long journeys - 6hr plus, and it retains it comfort all the way. Roofrack on top allow roofbox and bikes. I wouldn't swap it for anything but another Yeti. There's always going to be negative posters out there, who have nothing better to do with their lives. Some good interesting comments from sgtgrash, and i think everyone is right, a 7 seater would be a good addition, not so sure about the smaller version, but Skoda have done everything right so far.

Did I mention i love my Yeti? :-)

By YetiMan on 11 March, 2011, 11:49am

Trouble at VAG

VAG are starting to look a bit like BL (without the union strikes...) in that they have several badge engineered marques overlapping and eating into each others market.

Skoda are no longer a joke. The only downside of owning the larger Skoda models are that you look like a taxi driver/minicabber/airport chauffeur.
But that is testament to the quality. People like VAG tech at mainstream prices. VAG are starting to realise this, and are pegging back the tech. Skoda should have been their Dacia. Instead it is more of a "peoples car" than the VW marque!

They have positioned VW as the sub-premium marque, although their advertising recently has focused on the price of the base models (with all the goodies being optional).

Can't see them getting rid of Audi, as Audi are a cash cow. The higher ups in VAG have admitted themselves that they are overpriced, and with the huge numbers of sheep (certainly in UK/Ire) desperate to purchase what they perceive to be a premium marque, to get one over on the neighbours, it is too lucrative to get rid of.

Seat would be the candiate for axing in my opinion. I've said it before and I'll say it again, they don't have a clue what to do with Seat. They started off building Fiat cars and vans under licence, VW took over and they were a budget marque, but now they tried to make them their Alfa Romeo, but the range is fairly uninspiring. Ibiza hatchback (a stiffly-sprung Polo), several sizes of a monobox hatchback (Toledo, Altea and the well-selling Leon), a badge engineed MPV Alhambra and a second hand Audi.

By sirwiggum on 4 July, 2011, 12:25pm

MINI YETI

How about releasing a refreshed version of the Yeti II concept? Ditch some of the existing Yeti's practicality, replace it with more "fun factor" , and market it at the younger end of the purchasing market. (Think Citroen Pluriel with superior reliability and 4X4 capability)

If the roof system proved too difficult to mass produce, Skoda could always try something akin to the Fiat 500C in execution instead. What do others think?

By pbd2010 on 4 July, 2011, 1:40pm

Yeti

Having owned 3 Skoda's i am the proud (yes proud) owner of a Yeti Elegance....its roomy / comfortable / very practicle / and relible.... It really is a fantastic car, excellent build quality above VW ( yes i had a VW) and excellent dealership if needed.
What Skoda needs is a sporty version off the Yeti and a sports car added to the range......then watch VW squirm

By yeti3 on 5 July, 2011, 8:39am

You need to register to post comments. Existing members can log in below to comment, otherwise click here to join.



Sponsored Results

- Advertisement -

Sponsored Results

- Advertisement -