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Skoda Australia is confident that the Yeti has the potential to be a best-seller. Photo Gallery
Like the beast that shares its name, the Skoda Yeti is unlikely to be sighted here any time soon.
However, Skoda Australia is confident the Volkswagen Tiguan-based off-roader will be a starter and potential best-seller for the brand.
Volkswagen Group Australia spokesman, Karl Gehling, says VW Group Australia executives have assessed the car and loved it.
But all he can say is that it is "under consideration at the moment".
"It comes down to whether we can get it in and for the right price," Gehling says.
"There is a lot of work to be done."
Gehling believes the off-roader could be the one car that has a chance to propel Skoda Australia into the mainstream and lift the brand's awareness among buyers.
The Czech brand is still trying to build momentum locally.
It was relaunched at the end of 2007 into a strong market but since then the new car market has collapsed.
However, with the refreshed Octavia petrol and TDI range on sale and the RS performance sedan and wagon and the Scout crossover due later this year, the company is planning for better times.
If, and when the Yeti arrives, Gehling does not think it will compete or take sales from the competent Scout.
"They are essentially two distinct cars," he says.
Skoda's European executives say the Yeti would be a good fit for Australia.
They believe that it could undercut the Tiguan on price, like it will do in Europe when the off-roader goes on sale in a few months.
The Yeti will be available in Europe with both all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive with the opener being a 1.2-litre TSI petrol engine driving the front wheels.
Buyers will also have a choice of another 1.8-litre TSI petrol engine, as well as three turbo-diesels of 81kW, 103kW and 125kW.
The 81kW will be available with either front or all wheel drive, while the rest of the TDIs will use the same Haldex all-wheel drive system shared with Tiguan, which automatically engages when needed.
The compact off-roader is 4200mm long a features distinctive styling. The wagon also has 1760 litres of luggage space with the rear seats removed.
As it is based on the Tiguan, the Yeti is expected to handle well and cope with moderate off-roading.
Momentum is building for the car across Europe and it has already received some favourable reviews.
Germany's Autobild magazine has even voted the Yeti ahead of the Tiguan in a recent test of five Volkswagen cars against five Skodas.
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