Skoda Prepping New Seven-Seater Flagship SUV for India: Report

Czech auto-maker Skoda is reportedly readying a new flagship seven seater SUV for India, claims a new report.

The new SUV which is likely to follow the launch of Skoda Yeti facelift in India is expected to be around 4.6 meters in length and is likely to be pegged against the Toyota Fortuner and Hyundai Santa Fe, reported AutocarIndia.

Although the details of the upcoming Skoda SUV are scanty at this point of time, speculations are that the vehicle will be based on the Volkswagen Cross Blue concept and will also come with optional all-wheel drive. Reports also suggest that the new unnamed SUV could also come with sloping roofline and the Czech auto-maker is likely to price it in the ₹25-30 lakh brackets. If reports are to be believed, then the new flagship SUV would be positioned above the Yeti.

Skoda is expected to launch its new refreshed Yeti in the domestic market in July 2014. The Yeti facelift which was seen at the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo will come with new design and look and will feature new headlamp, butterfly grille and revamped tail lights. The car displays the new logo of Skoda and comes with bi-xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights.

On the mechanical front, the Yeti facelift will come with the same 2.0 litre diesel engine, which is featured in the current Skoda Yeti and is likely to continue to have two states of tune – 110 PS at 4,200 rpm and 140 PS at 4,200 rpm.

The soon-to-be-launched Yeti facelift is likely to come with the same price tag of the current model. Currently, Skoda Yeti is priced in the range of ₹15.19 lakh to ₹18.91 lakh.

Though the existing Yeti is available only with manual gearbox, report suggests that the new Yeti facelift could feature DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox).

With the launch of new Yeti, Skoda hopes to revive its reach in the subcontinent market. The Skoda Yeti is a SUV which has been on Indian roads since 2010, but the company could sell 4,500 units of vehicles in the country as of now.