Skoda is preparing a replacement for its Yeti with more space, a new engine range and a more traditional crossover look, as seen in our exclusive images.
with more space, a new engine range and a more traditional crossover look, as seen in our exclusive images. The new Skoda Yeti is due on sale in 2018 with prices starting from around £16,000.
It will share much of its DNA with the new SEAT Atecaand Volkswagen Tiguan, with all three SUVs riding on variations of VW’s MQB platform – and a hybrid is on the way, too.
Skoda boss Bernhard Maier told Auto Express: “It is not a surprise that there will be a successor for the Yeti. This is already in development; it looks beautiful and perfectly fits to the brand.”
While the current car’s ‘Tonka toy’ looks are a distinctive feature and have helped the Yeti to huge sales success, the new model will feature more traditional styling with a sleeker look, incorporating the design language set out by the Vision S conceptfrom the Geneva Motor Show, also set for the Kodiaq seven-seater which will be unveiled at October’s Paris Motor Show.
“The new look kept us in intense discussions as we have a real fanbase for the current Yeti,” Maier told us. “We have asked our customers about the design, and one thing is clear: the new design language for our SUVs will also apply to the new Yeti.”
The previously upright rear hatch will be replaced by a more raked version, giving the car a much sleeker profile than before. Slim tail-lights feature Skoda’s signature light pattern and split as the tailgate is opened. A four-light headlamp arrangement and clamshell bonnet mean the Yeti shares its face with the upcoming Kodiaq, while slim LED headlights and a wide grille complete the look, with more than a hint of the new Superb in the design, too.
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Squared-off wheelarches, sculpted side panels and larger sills will give the car definition in profile. Inside, we expect a simple design with a focus on maximising space, but with the use of quality materials for a more upmarket feel.
The new Yeti will be more practical than the current car as well, with a bigger boot and more space in the cabin for passengers. The SEAT Ateca has a 510-litre load area, so expect an increase of over 100 litres on the current Yeti’s 416-litre capacity.
While four-wheel drive on some models is likely to cut into load space, Skoda intends to make sure that future hybrid versions will retain the car’s pragmatic character. “Hybrids are something we are discussing for all of our product line-up,” Maier told us.
“Our engineers are working to find the best solution for Skoda for hybrid technology. Whatever Skoda brings we will stand to our core values, irrespective of the engine we are looking at.” The hybrid model is expected to share the VW Tiguan GTE’s powertrain, which means a 1.4-litre petrol engine paired with an electric motor, giving fuel economy of over 150mpg and CO2 emissions of less than 50g/km.
We expect other engines to be carried over from the VW Group range, including a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol as well as 1.6 and 2.0-litre diesels that will count for most of the UK’s private and company car sales.
Along with four-wheel drive, a DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox will be available for the new Yeti. It’s likely that there will be more safety equipment than ever as well, including an auto braking system and a parking camera. It’s possible that Skoda will introduce a more rugged-looking Scout model and even a more aggressive Sportline version.
We expect the new Yeti to be priced from around £16,000 – making it slightly cheaper than the current model. But don’t expect to see it in dealerships soon: the new model won’t arrive until well after the seven-seater, meaning a launch date in 2018.
Would you like the new Yeti if it looked like this? Let us know in the comments below!