First drive: Skoda broadens Yeti SUV range

SKODA Australia has revealed a price of $32,990 (plus on-road costs) for the new all-wheel-drive Yeti 112TSI variant, which it hopes will significantly widen the market appeal of the quirky compact SUV. As expected, the 112TSI slots between the existing front-drive 77TSI (from $26,290) and AWD 103TDI (from $35,690) Yeti variants that debuted here in October.

This price point also places the Yeti in the same ballpark as AWD petrol rivals like the Mazda CX-5 (from $32,300), Hyundai ix35 (from $32,490) and Volkswagen Tiguan (from $33,490).

Power comes from the same VW Group 1.8-litre turbocharged engine used in the Octavia and Superb, producing 118kW at 5000rpm and 250Nm of torque between 1500 and 4500rpm when matched to the standard six-speed manual gearbox.

The car also comes with an optional six-speed DSG semi-automatic transmission for an extra $2300, the fitment of which results in the engine being slightly detuned to 112kW at 6000rpm and 250Nm between 1500 and 4200rpm.

This compares strongly with the diminutive (on paper at least) 1.2-litre 77kW/175Nm turbo-petrol used in the 200kg-lighter front-drive 77TSI, which is offered with either six-speed manual or a seven-speed version of the DSG.

Combined fuel consumption is listed at 8.4L/100km (8.2L/100km for the DSG), compared to 6.6L/100km for the 77TSI and 6.2L/100km for the 103TDI, while acceleration from zero to 100km/h is achieved in a claimed 8.4 seconds (9.0s for the DSG).

Like its Tiguan cousin, the car can be run on 95 RON premium unleaded fuel.

Power is sent to the road via the same fourth-generation AWD system as found in the 103TDI, adjusting the torque split between the front and rear axles via a Haldex clutch and on each side of the rear axle via a limited slip differential.

On dry roads, the clutch sends 96 per cent of engine torque to the front wheels, but Skoda says the system can send up to 90 per cent to the rear axle when the going gets tougher.

As our first drive of the AWD diesel in the Australian outback showed last year, the little Yeti is a competent performer in modest off-road conditions – nimble, grippy and with good underbody protection.

Buyers keen to explore the great outdoors can also fit the Skoda Off-Road Technology Package ($290), which adds Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control and off-road modes for the various electronic drive programs.

However, ground clearance is the same relatively low 180mm, while departure angles are 19 degrees up front and 26.7 degrees at the rear.

The 112TSI features the same level of standard equipment as the flagship 103TDI, including 17-inch alloy wheels (16-inch steel spare), automatic headlights, foglights, chrome interior highlights, six-CD audio with MP3 compatibility, Bluetooth phone streaming, multi-function trip computer, cruise control, dual-zone climate-control, rain-sensing wipers, silver roof rails and a cooled glovebox.

Also standard are seven airbags (front, side, curtain and driver’s knee), electronic stability control, ABS brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, Anti-Slip Regulation system and hill-hold function.

The 112TSI gets the same clever VarioFlex seating arrangement as its siblings, allowing the seats to be positioned in more than 20 ways, from being reclined, folded flat or removed completely, turning the little SUV into something akin to a van.

With the rear row of seats folded up, boot space is 415 litres, but can be anywhere from 310 litres all the way up to 1665 litres depending on the seating layout.

Dimensions for the 112TSI are the same as the other variants at 4223mm long, 1793mm wide and 1691mm high on a 2548mm wheelbase. The front and rear tracks are 1541mm/1537mm respectively while the tare weight is 1580kg.

Braked towing capacity is 1600kg – the same as the diesel and 400kg more than the 1.2-litre 77TSI – and 680kg unbraked.

Skoda Yeti pricing(plus on-road costs):
112TSI	$32,990
112TSIDSG (a)	$35,290
77TSI	$26,290
77TSI DSG (a)	$28,590
103TDI	$35,690
103TDI DSG (a)	$37,990