Sydney show: Skoda Yeti hits Australia

SKODA pulled off one of the genuine Australian International Motor Show surprises this morning with the appearance of the Yeti compact SUV.

Joining another revamp of the Octavia range (with a 90TSI 1.4-litre turbo replacing the ancient 1.6-litre petrol unit) and acclaimed Superb sedan and wagon under the Sydney spotlight, the boxy Yeti represents the Czech brand’s biggest chance at finally achieving volume success in Australia.

Yeti will not be released Down Under until well into next year, when it will boost the Skoda range to three again after the slow-selling Roomster was axed at the beginning of this year.

Based on the Volkswagen Group’s PQ35 platform, the Yeti is closely related to the Mk5/Mk6 Golf (and, by association, the Tiguan), but features completely different styling to any of its cousins.

In essence, the Yeti is a small-car-derived crossover, with a transverse engine, front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, MacPherson strut front suspension and a multi-link rear end.

It sits on a 2578mm wheelbase, is 1691mm high and tips the scales from 1520kg.

Under the bonnet, a predictable array of Volkswagen Group turbocharged four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines are on offer, although the final selection for Australia has yet to be revealed.

Among the possibilities are 1.2-litre, 1.4-litre and 1.8-litre petrol units, as well as the omnipresent 2.0-litre common-rail TDI diesel. All can be had with manual gearboxes, while a DSG dual-clutch transmission will be on the options list.

Along with chunky styling, Yeti strengths include cabin space and versatility, with three separate rear seats allowing for a range of useful passenger and cargo-carrying permutations.

Skoda’s first true compact SUV, which is built at the Kvasiny facility in the Czech Republic, has met with considerable acclaim in Europe since its debut at the Geneva motor show in March 2009.