5L Yeti Series II

SKODA has shifted the focus from all-wheel drive to front-wheel drive for its repositioned and facelifted Yeti Series II range.

Coming in between $2800 and $4400 cheaper than before, the Czech-built compact-SUV gains a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, keyless entry and start, a touch-screen multimedia interface and 17-inch alloy wheels on every variant.

A second FWD model – the 90TSI Ambition DSG – replaces the old 118TSI DSG AWD, leaving the 103TDI DSG 4x4 diesel as the sole Yeti AWD. It now features Outdoor badges, revamped 4WD hardware and additional crossover-style body cladding.

Mildly facelifted, the previous Yeti’s round fog-light headlight design has been binned for more conventional rectangular units, while the grille is more pronounced and features a larger bonnet badge.

Redesigned front and rear bumpers, undercarriage guards, exterior mirrors, side mouldings and door sills, with the latter painted in body colour for 2WD models and black plastic in the Outdoor 4x4, complete the exterior’s visual makeover.

For the first time, Skoda uses different bumpers, fog lights, air-intake shapes, mirror cappings and rear valance, as well as altered body cladding, to separate the two drivetrain choices.

While the only corresponding models to the previous Yeti – the 77TSI and 103TDI – display no mechanical drivetrain, suspension, steering or chassis alterations in their transition to Series II guise, the 90TSI brings a completely new engine to the range.

As its name suggests, the latter is powered by a 1390cc, EU5 emissions-rated, 1.4-litre direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 90kW of power at 5000rpm and 200Nm of torque from 1500rpm to 4000rpm.

Running on 95 RON premium unleaded petrol and driving the front wheels solely through a DSG, it accelerates from standstill to 100km/h in 10.6 seconds, can reach 182km/h, and is capable of averaging 6.8 litres per 100km as well as 159 grams per kilometre of carbon dioxide emissions.

Meanwhile the carryover smaller 1197cc 1.2-litre DI turbo 77TSI EU5 unit delivers 77kW at 5000rpm and 175Nm from 1550-4100rpm on the premium unleaded brew, as well as a 177km/h top speed (DSG: 176km/h), 11.4s 0-100km/h (DSG: 11.7s), 6.0L/100km (DSG: 6.7L/100km) and 140g/km of CO2 (DSG: 157g/km).

However, while the 1968cc 2.0-litre DI turbo-diesel pumps out 103kW at 4200rpm, its torque output increases 30Nm to 350Nm (from 1750-2500rpm), to help the Yeti Outdoor 4x4 in sole six-speed DSG mode to hit 100km/h in 10.2s, reach 187km/h, and manage 6.7L/100km and 174g/km of CO2 pollution.

The AWD hardware is a latest-generation Haldex Version 5.0 electronically controlled multi-plate coupling system, twin part-time unit, driving the front wheels until traction losses send torque rearwards.

Otherwise, pretty much everything has remained the same as before – meaning an electro mechanical rack and pinion steering system, four-wheel disc brakes, MacPherson strut suspension up front and a four-link independent arrangement.