Skoda launches Yeti in India - A go-anywhere Skoda Superb
The much awaited crossover-SUV from Skoda was officially launched in Delhi today. The launch ceremony happened at hotel Janpath, and unlike all other launches performances and flash lights are abound indoors indoors, Yeti stood covered, in a seemingly calm and cool manner in an open area. The surrounding area had a raw and rocky ambiance to enhance the background for the product.
The car was unveiled by Mr Thomas Kuehl, Board member & Director, Skoda Auto India. Mr Keuhl and as rightly pointed out by him, this wasn't a launch ceremony, it's instead a price unveiling ceremony. The Yeti had done away with its dust sheets in January at the Auto expo.
First Glance:
At first glance you will find it hard to believe Yeti as a SUV since the proportions are rather compact for a SUV. It doesn’t have fat wheels with profound wheel arches to give you a go-anywhere feel. The design is clean and simple and oriented on practicality rather than being massy.
The front is similar to current generation Skodas - big grill with vertical slats being highlighted by chrome molding with centrally-mounted Skoda badge, the rectangular headlights being raised into bonnet is another Skoda trait. The only dramatic and catchy element that steers clear of the family look is the front fog lamps, they are mounted very closed to headlights unlike the conventional way of fog lamps being in the lower part of the bumper.
The lower portion of the rear bumper along with the side door protection & side skirts are not painted in body color to give it a hardcore look. The C and D pillar of the Yeti is marked in black color to give it a more roomy look as well as to break up the mass.
Engine:
Skoda Yeti comes equipped with the same VW family 2.0 Litre TDI Common rail engine doing duty in different tunes & output across Skoda, VW and Audi. In Yeti the engine churns out 140 BHp at 4200 rpm.
Interiors:
Premium, up market and quality all in one go welcome you the moment you enter the cabin. The interiors are truly well built with each and every in-cabin feature screaming quality. Don’t go by its compact dimensions, the interior room is more than adequate for a regular family. The center console offered is found on the Laura and Superb too.
The extensive use of chrome inside with wooden fascia across the dash highlights the aura. The Yeti shares its lot of components from rich-feel Superb and the same shows the moment you feel it.
Pricing:
Like all Skodas, Yeti is also priced aggressively. The lower version Ambeinte being 14.98 Lac and the top version Elegance being 16.18 Lac Ex Maharashtra.
USP:
Go Anywhere Urban SUV with small dimensions
Comfort of a Sedan
Tons of goodies & safety gadgets
A sedan-rivaling ARAI certified Efficiency figures of 17.67 Kmpl
Environment friendly, with unrealistic Co2 emissions for a SUV of just (149g/vkm)
Shakti’s take:
A niche product not to be mistaken as an alternative to muscular SUVs available in the same price bracket. I would rather call it a go-anywhere Superb, the interiors are luxurious and remember, this is a car with off-road credentials.
The car is loaded with features to its brim. All the intelligent 4x4 features along with touch screen system and curtain airbags are only available in Elegance trim, wonder with just a meager difference of 1.2 lacs does it make sense to go for Ambiente trim.
Well I think the pricing of Ambiente will pull customers to showroom but they will end up driving the Elegance trim.
More detailed insight on Yeti, when IAB does the complete road test in near future.
IAB is more than eager to answer your queries and listen to feedback on the same!