Overview of Skoda Yeti 2.0 4x4

Skoda Yeti is the first SUV model from the Czech car maker, Skoda. Surprisingly, the SUV market is on a fast paced growth platform with expectations of 80% growth in demand in 2011. So Skoda expects its SUV Yeti will have better figures this year.

Yeti has been made using the same concept as was showcased first in the Geneva Auto Show 2005 and the 2008 Auto Expo. The extras offered though include five doors, a simpler front grille and spotlights that are typical Skoda offering.

Yeti in fact became one of the most eagerly awaited SUVs lately, and was launched in the last quarter of 2010 (November 15, 2010) with a price tag of 15.4 Lakhs (Ex-Showroom Delhi). Interestingly, the Skoda Yeti is a crossover SUV just like Tata's SUV crossover, Aria.

The offroader erases the usual image we otherwise attach to any SUV and comes in a compact mould. The SUV uses six-speed transmission and runs on a 2.0 TDi diesel-fuelled engine with an all-wheel drive system that gives roaring peak power and torque of 140 Bhp and 320 Nm, respectively. Yeti comes with standard features of six SRS airbags, ABS, ESP, and EBD.

Design and Styling of the Yeti
The Yeti got a design that complements sturdy appearance with many safety features. The functional design at the front has high-positioned headlamps and adjacent fog lamps which offer clearer view in foggy conditions and the position gives advantage of protection from dirt and any potential damage off the roads.

The taillights give an, 'we've seen the same in Skoda Fabia' impression, and they go through the wings and are C shaped. The car's underside has a toughened sheet/cover to protect vital mechanics and parts from collisions and possible brushes/abrasions. Yeti comes with a black fiber-textured rear bumper along with a silver-colored brush guard - which add style element to the already off-road looks of the SUV.



At the outer edges, rear bumper has longitudinal reflective surfaces or simply put the cat's eyes and with its 4.2 meter length and 17-inches alloy wheels, it oozes mesmerizing front end with ribbed grille, and headlamps and fog lamps. The large space between wheels and wheel arches accentuates the smart concept effect of the Yeti.

Looks rugged though from outside, but the insides offers nothing less than sheer pleasure. Space to comfort to conveniences the Skoda Yeti surely exceeds all your expectations of an SUV.

There are five individual seats inside and those at the rear come with VarioFlex system (no SUV in India has this feature) which makes it adaptable to differential storage/space requirements. It can be one classic 5-seater or a very spacious 4-seater, or just a two-seater with the maximum storage space. That said, high sills on doors and boot that impedes accessibility and reduces flexibility of luggage loading option with no spare wheel when in the mode of maximum boot space are some setbacks for this SUV.

That's not all as regards to the stack of features the Yeti offers: It comes with the driver and front passenger screens on the sides, driver's knee airbags, ABS with EBD, MBA, MSR, TCS, and also adjustable steering wheel (height adjustable and front and back adjustable), height adjustable seats, running lights d\for daytime, roof rails, storage boxes and bottle holders, temperature (of the outside) display with climate-controlled AC and odor filter with switch for automated air circulation, central locking, multi-function display and brightness adjustable instruments, ERVM (electrically controlled rear view mirrors), body-colored door mirrors and handles, 4-spoked leather steer wheel, remote controlled central locking system, lumbar supports in the backrests (front seat), and illuminated door area for convenient boarding.

What's under the hood?
The Yeti runs on a 1968cc diesel powered engine and the two variants include Ambiente and Elegance. While the Skoda Yeti Elegance comes with 6 airbags and 12 speakers the Skoda Yeti Ambiente is lower end model with 2 airbags and 8 speakers. The Elegance also comes with an off-road button (to help enable the car responds less directly to throttle so that the power is applied more accurately). The 2.0 liter TDI CR engine ensures Best-in-class fuel consumption & engine performance (aria tested 17.67Km/L mileage).


Price of Skoda Yeti
The ex-showroom New Delhi prices are Rs. 15.40 lakhs and Rs. 16.62 lakhs, respectively for the Yeti Ambiente and Yeti Elegance versions.
Yeti comes in six shades: Candy White, Brilliant Silver, Mato Brown, Corrida Red, Magic Black and Aqua Mist.

Why buy the Skoda Yeti?
Best-in-class advanced 4-4 with off-road technology (IV Generation Haldex Clutch)
Best-in-class safety features
India's only diesel engine premium SUV in the price bracket
Moulds well for 2 or 4 or 5-seater requirements of Indian families

Thanks to compact build yet with so much cargo and flexible storage options, the Skoda Yeti offers dynamic drive for an SUV. With the light weight 2.0 liter TDI CR engine under the hood, the feeling grows on the driver with every drive. The height of the Yeti makes it a little vulnerable as it tilts while cornering, but due to refined underpinning driver is aware of the limits.

Why deny the SUV
Yeti with so many unique features still can't be said a winner, as Tata Aria that was launched recently comes with many features (if not at par with the Yeti) but with an aggressive and tempting price tag.
Also, Skoda's dealer network isn't still anyone will vote for and the service always has had complaints.