Skoda to launch Yeti by June

Image: Reinhard Fleger, board member, sales and marketing, Skoda Auto (L) and Thomas Kuehl, board member, sales and marketing, Skoda Auto India.

After the success of Octavia, Laura and Superb in the sedan segment German car maker Skoda have decided to foray into the SUV segment with Yeti. The SUV fills the gap between the hatchback and sedan in Skoda's Indian portfolio.

Even though Skoda Yeti is not impressive to look at but it surely has lot of power under that hood and come with a price tag of Rs 12 -15 lakhs (Rs 1.2 - Rs 1.5 million).

About Yeti

Skoda Yeti comes in both front-wheel and four-wheel-drive. The four-wheel drive comes with a 2.0 litre TDI diesel engine with 108bhp, 138bhp and 168bhp, plus a 158bhp 1.8 TSI petrol unit.

The 108bhp 2.0 TDI engine is also available in two-wheel drive versions, along with a lively new 103bhp 1.2 TSI unit. Yeti is as capable an offroader as it is an onroader and it is easy to control on difficult terrain.

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Skoda to launch Yeti by June

Yeti's fourth-generation Haldex system allows 90 per cent of the power to go to the front wheels, but if the Yeti's control unit detects a difference in speed at the front and rear axles, the system can divert up to 90 per cent of torque to the rear.

The top models of Yeti come with a button that switches the car's ABS, traction control and EDL (electronic differential lock) to off-road settings.

The car comes with a hill start assistance and a hill descent control system which helps maintain a constant downhill speed. It is expected that Skoda will launch Skoda Yeti in the month of June 2010 in the Indian auto market.

Fuel efficiency

Skoda Yeti will be launched with both petrol and diesel engine option - the 1.8L, 1798cc, turbo charged, DOHC petrol engine with six-speed manual transmission gearbox and 4WD (Four Wheel Drive) is expected to give a mileage of 9.9kmpl in the city and 14.5kmpl on highways.

Skoda to launch Yeti by June

The diesel engine 2WD variant powered by the 2.0L, 1968cc, turbo charged engine with 5-speed manual transmission gearbox offers a mileage of 14.8kmpl in the city and 19.2kmpl on highways.

The 4WD (four wheel drive) option with the same engine offers a mileage of 12.6kmpl in the city and 17.2kmpl on Highways. While the 4WD powered by the 2.0L, 1968cc, turbo charged diesel engine with 6-speed manual transmission gearbox and with advanced Haldex clutch gives only 11.2kmpl in the city and 15.8kmpl on highways.

Speculations are on about the launch of another variant. The 2.0L, 1968cc, turbo charged diesel engine with 6-speed manual transmission gearbox and advanced Haldex clutch also available in 4WD option is expected to give 11.2kmpl in the city and 15.8kmpl on highways.

Skoda to launch Yeti by June

Another more powerful variant of Skoda Yeti will also be launched with 4WD option, which will be powered by 2.0L, 1968cc, Turbo Charged diesel engine with 6-speed manual transmission gearbox and with advanced Haldex clutch.

This variant delivers higher engine performance in comparison to previous diesel variants and it produces 170PS of maximum power at 4200rpm and 350Nm of maximum torque at 1750 2500rpm.

Appearance

Skoda Yeti has got oddball looks but the SUV is very comfortable on the inside. Aggressive front grille surrounded by four sporty headlamps, integrated daytime running lights and fog lamps, rear lamps extend all the way to the wings, electrically adjustable two-part panoramic sun roof and crossways roof-rack make up for Yeti's exteriors.

On the inside the SUV feels light, airy and spacious and has impressive dimensions: length 4223mm, width 1793mm and height 1691mm.

Skoda to launch Yeti by June

It has a load capacity of 545kg and boot volume of 510liters to 1760liters.There is enough room in the back for two adults of average height. Yeti has a ground clearance of 180mm.

All this combined with a dashboard in black, lined with good d cor makes the interiors classy and upmarket.

Last word

Skoda is a loved brand in India and after the success of Octavia and Superb people are looking forward to its cars in the other segments.

With Yeti, Skoda is all set to make waves in the SUV segment and the compact size and good performance engine of the car are its biggest advantages. However, Yeti's oddball looks and the price tag might just be a deterrent.

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