Skoda Yeti 2014 News

Czech brand Skoda and British carmaker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) have revealed which models will be recalled as part of the wide-spread mandatory Takata airbag call back.

The Australasian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced another round of national safety recalls, with models from Audi, Honda and Skoda impacted by the call backs.

US owners of VW cars with diesel engines that can cheat emissions tests have already been given $500, but local owners still have no compensation.

Three weeks after the global scandal broke, Australian owners of VW diesel cars finally know if their car is affected or not.

There are exciting new releases planned across the board; from budget hatches to practical SUVs, to exotic supercars. We’ve broken them down into segments and likely price categories to help you. We've based our price estimations on the current market, but some estimations could change in the future, and some model ranges span across price categories, so be sure to check our other stories...New cars for 2014 | less than $20,000New cars for 2014 | $40,000-$59,000New cars for 2014 | $59,000-$100,000New cars for 2014 | over $100,000 LIGHT CARSAlfa-Romeo MiTo: The Mini Cooper-rivalling MiTo hatch is due for a refresh in January. Tweaked styling is expected, along with updated features and sharpened pricing in line with other recent Fiat Chrysler Australia pricetag shuffles. (Approximately 25,000-30,000)Honda City and Jazz: Honda’s slow-selling City compact sedan is due to be replaced by an all-new model in the second quarter of 2014, leading the also-new third-generation Jazz compact hatch which is expected in around June. The new Jazz will benefit from a new dual-clutch auto transmission, and a new hybrid variant is expected to dip well below the current petrol-electric model’s 4.5L/100km combined figure. (Approximately $16,000-23,000)Kia Rio: Also due for a refresh in the third quarter is the Kia Rio light hatch and sedan range, with the stylish model likely to score visual tweaks and value gains to keep up with more recent competition. (Approximately $15,000-22,000)Mini Cooper: Mini will bring the all-new third-generation ‘new Mini’ Cooper to our shores from May, with the entry models using a new 1.5-litre three cylinder turbo petrol or diesel engine, and the hot Cooper S to step up to a new 2.0-litre turbo petrol from the same family The three-door hatch will be the only bodystyle to lob in 2014, with convertible and a new five-door hatch (at least) to follow later. (Approximately $31,000-$46,000)Volkswagen Polo: Volkswagen’s Polo light hatch range is also due for a mid-cycle refresh in the second half of the year, with revised styling, plus efficiency and technology trickle-down from the Mk7 Golf likely. Approximately $17,000-29,000)SMALL CARSAlfa Romeo Giulietta: Following on from its pricing shuffle in 2013, the small Giulietta hatch range also due for a mid-cycle refresh later in 2014. Approximately 24,000-40,000)Hyundai Elantra: Hyundai will revise its Elantra sedan in January, with freshened styling and a new local suspension tune expected to be the main changes. (Approximately $20,990-$30,190)Kia Pro_cee'd GT: Kia will bring the Pro_cee’d GT down under in March, with the new hot hatch set to go head to head with its mechanical sibling the Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo. (Approximately $30,000)Kia Soul: Also expected in March is a heavily revised version of the trendy Soul small hatch, with rejigged styling, upgraded underpinnings and petrol and diesel drivetrains. (Approximately $21,000-$30,000)Mazda3: Mazda will renew its assault on the Australian sales charts in January, with the arrival of the new third-generation 3 sedan and hatch models. The new 3 will be available with 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre versions of Mazda’s SkyActiv petrol engine from launch, with diesel versions set to follow later. (Approximately $20,000-35,000)Nissan Pulsar SSS sedan: In the third quarter, Nissan will break with Pulsar SSS tradition by adding a sedan version of the hot turbocharged model, with Mazda’s SP25 sedan its only logical rival. (Approximately $31,000)Peugeot 308: Peugeot’s headline act for 2014 will be the new 308 small hatch, with the lighter and more efficient model arriving before the end of the year to target Volkswagen’s Golf head-on. (Approximately $25,000-$40,000)Proton Suprima S: Proton will launch the Preve sedan-based Suprima S small hatch in January, in $21,790 (drive away) GX and $26,590 (drive away) GXR spec levels. Available with a CVT auto initially, both versions will use a 103kW/250Nm 1.6 litre petrol turbo. Cheaper $19,790 (GX) and $24,590 (GXR) six –speed manual versions will arrive later in the year. (Approximately $19,790-$24,590)Proton Preve: In the second quarter, ther Malaysian brand will add a five-speed manual version of the Preve GXR sedan, which is expected to undercut the existing CVT auto version by $2000 with a $20,990 drive away pricetag. A more upmarket Preve LE is expected at around the same time, and likely to be priced around the $25,000 mark.Renault Megane: Also due around June is a mid-cycle refresh for the Megane coupe, cabriolet, and wagon models. (Approximately $20,000-$50,000)Skoda Rapid Spaceback: Skoda will introduce the much anticipated Rapid Spaceback in the second quarter, with the new hatch to sit beneath the recently launched Octavia Liftback and wagon. (Approximately from $20,000)Toyota Corolla sedan: Toyota’s grasp on the Australian market is set to be strengthened by the arrival of a sedan version of the new Corolla in February. Both European and US versions of the new sedan have been unveiled, and the Australian model will most closely resemble the European model. (Approximately $20,000-$32,000)Volkswagen Golf wagon: Volkswagen will add a wagon bodystyle to its Mk7 Golf lineup early in 2014, mirroring the hatch with its range of petrol and diesel engines. (Approximately $27,000-37,000)FAMILY CARSFord Falcon: The once-mighty Falcon range is set to undergo its final facelift in the fourth quarter of 2014, ahead of it’s now certain doom in 2016. Minor styling revisions are expected, but the addition of Ford’s SYNC multimedia system and the return of the XR8 V8 model (as FPV is wound up) are likely to be the biggest changes. (Approximately 37,000-56,000)Kia Optima: Kia’s Optima will score a mid-cycle update in January, with revised styling inside and out, along with added features. (Approximately $30,990-$40,490)PEOPLE MOVERSCitroen C4 Grand Picasso: Citroen will replace the long-serving C4 Grand Picasso with an all-new version in the second quarter of 2014. The new model promises to continue as a stylish alternative to other seven-seat people movers with a choice of petrol or diesel drivetrains and will hopefully retain the current model’s sub-$40,000 pricing. (Approximately $37,000-$40,000)Honda Odyssey: An all-new Odyssey eight-seat people mover will follow in February, with fresh styling, improved features and safety and a more efficient drivetrain. (Approximately $35,000-$43,000)Kia Grand Carnival: Later in the year, Kia will replace the segment-champion but ageing Grand Carnival model. Improvements to safety, features, and efficiency are expected, and should be a winner if the smaller new Rondo is anything to go by. (Approximately $39,000-56,000)SUV/4WDFord EcoSport: The Blue Oval’s new EcoSport baby will complete its lineup in February, with the cheaper Trend and Ambiente spec levels joining the top-line Titanium that launched the model in December. (Approximately $20,790-27,790)Honda CR-V diesel: Honda will kick off 2014 by adding the first-ever diesel variant to the local CR-V SUV lineup in January. The 2.2 litre unit produces 110kW/350Nm, and will be available in six-speed manual or five-speed auto with all-wheel drive only. Official fuel consumption is as low as 5.8L/100km. (Approximately $35,000-$45,000)Jeep Cherokee: Jeep’s new more-civilised Cherokee SUV will arrive in the first half of 2014, with a choice of 2.4-litre petrol, 3.2-litre petrol V6, or 2.0-litre turbodiesel engines. (Approximately $28,000-$37,000)Kia Sportage: During the second quarter, Kia will grace its Sportage medium SUV with a more significant update than the minor revisions made in mid-2013 with the shift to European production. Like Optima, expect fresh interior and exterior styling and new features. (Approximately $25,000-$40,000)Kia Sorento: The final Kia model for 2014 is likely to be a significantly revamped Sorento seven-seat SUV, with a comprehensive design update inside and out to bring it in line with the fresher styling of its Hyundai Santa Fe mechanical twin. (Approximately $38,000-$51,000)Nissan X-Trail: Nissan will replace its hugely successful X-Trail medium SUV in about July, with the bigger design offering seating for seven for the first time, and improved refinement to go with its softened exterior design. (Approximately $30,000-$47,000)Nissan Qashqai: Nissan’s other significant SUV arrival for 2014 will be the Dualis-replacing Qashqai compact SUV, which will arrive in five-seat only guise in the third quarter. (Approximately $26,000-$36,000)Renault Captur: The Renault Captur will arrive mid-year, representing the French brand in the rapidly expanding compact SUV segement. The Clio-based crossover should start in the low $20,000s, and challenge the Trax, Juke, 2008, and EcoSport. (Approximately from $20,000)Skoda Yeti: Skoda’s best-selling Yeti compact SUV is also in line for a mid-cycle refresh in around June, with revised styling and features to bring it in line with the brand’s newer models. (Approximately $26,000-$38,000)Suzuki S-Cross: Suzuki’s SX4-replacing S-Cross will arrive in January, with reduced fuel consumption an increased interior space over the model it supercedes. Like the SX4, the S-Cross will continue with 2WD and AWD options, and will be priced between $22,990 and $34,990.COMMERCIAL VEHICLESFord Transit: Ford’s commercial lineup will receive a boost in January with the arrival of an all-new Transit van model, with the light-duty Transit Custom touching down ahead of the heavy-duty Transit Cargo range in April. (Approximately $36,000-$52,000)Renault Kangoo Maxi crew van: A passenger-carrying Kangoo Maxi crew van is also expected in the second quarter. (Approximately $27,000)

None of us wants to crash our shiny new car but, if we do, we want to know we're safe. That's where the Australian New Car Assessment Program's standardised crash-testing analysis is invaluable, providing comparable ratings for vehicles of all types.The ANCAP site notes that a one-star car is twice as likely to kill you as a five-star model. Carsguide examines ANCAP's results to find the best of breed in each segment. It's worth noting the advanced software in some cars that readies the vehicle if a crash is imminent are disabled during the official tests. Cars are scored out of 37 points after the following tests.FRONTAL OFFSET TEST: The subject vehicle is accelerated to 64km/h and rammed into a deformable alloy barrier to simulate a head-on crash. To increase the severity and reproduce real-world conditions only 40 per cent of the car hits the wall - equating to a driver swerving to avoid an oncoming vehicle.SIDE IMPACT TEST: The T-bone hit rams a 950kg trolley into the side of the car at 50km/h. The sled has an alloy face to simulate the front of another vehicle, which deforms and absorbs some of the impact.PEDESTRIAN TEST: Simulates the results of hitting a pedestrian at 40km/h. The test assesses adult and child impacts, given their heads and limbs strike different areas of the car.POLE TEST: This is the most demanding test in the ANCAP repertoire. Trees and poles don't deform, so all the crash energy is transferred to the vehicle. The car is put on a sled and propelled towards a fixed steel pole at 29km/h.SAFEST SMALL CARSAUDI A3 36.41 See reviews of this carOfficially the best small car to occupy in an accident. Impressively, the windscreen pillar didn't move after a 64km/h hit with the concrete block.  HONDA INSIGHT 36.39 See reviews of this carIts score reflects a 3mm movement of the pillar in the frontal offset test and "slight risk" of serious leg injury for driver and passenger.   BMW 1 SERIES HATCH 36.33 See reviews of this carThere's a slight risk of serious chest injury for the driver in the frontal and side crash test and a slight risk of serious leg injury for the passenger in the frontal crash.   SAFEST MEDIUM CARSMERCEDES B-CLASS 36.78 See reviews of this carTops the charts with the highest score of any car in ANCAP database. Technically there's a 4mm movement of the front pillar and a slight risk of injury to the passenger leg closest the door.  BMW 3 SERIES 36.76 See reviews of this carBarely behind. It showed a 1mm movement of the pillar and there was a slight risk of serious injury to the driver's and passenger's legs.VOLVO V40 36.67 See reviews of this carThe only loss of points occurred during the frontal crash test, with a slight risk of serious injury to the front occupants' legs closest the door and the driver's chest.SAFEST LARGE CARSTOYOTA AURION 36.59 See reviews of this carFirst place in this class makes it the only locally built vehicle in any top-three line-up. There's a slight risk of lower leg injury for driver and passenger.   BMW 5 Series 36.53 See reviews of this carNot a bad place to be in the event of an accident either. It blitzed the side impact tests and only lost fractions of points in the head-on hit.    VOLVO S60 36.34 See reviews of this carSweden maintains its safety credentials. The passenger compartment stayed intact with only a 1mm movement of the front pillar.    SAFEST COMPACT SUVS SUBARU XV 35.53 See reviews of this carLike the slightly lower-riding Impreza, the XV scored highly in all crashes, with a slight risk of injury to the front occupants' chests and legs.    HOLDEN TRAX 35.18 See reviews of this carThe surprise packet. One of the smaller cars in the class has only a slight risk of serious leg injury for those in the front in a head-on crash.   Skoda Yeti 34.67 See reviews of this carDepite being one of the older examples in this segment, the Yeti still rates well for safety, with only a slight risk of serious leg injury for those in the front in a head-on crash.    SAFEST MEDIUM SUVSVOLVO XC60 36.53 See reviews of this carANCAP says the cabin 'held its shape extremely well" in the frontal test, with the pillar shifting just 3mm. There was a slight risk of serious chest and leg injuries to the driver.  FORD KUGA 36.33 See reviews of this carA solid second, posing a slight risk of serious chest injury for both front seat occupants. The front pillar moved 15mm.   HONDA CR-V 35.91 See reviews of this carPlaced well despite being penalised for the foot-operated park brake moving upwards and back. Structurally there was only a 2mm movement of the pillar.  SUBARU FORESTER 35.64 See reviews of this carTested this year, it scored highly in all crashes, with a slight risk of injury to the front occupants' chests and legs.   SUBARU OUTBACK 35.52 See reviews of this carFills the brand's quinella. Crashed in 2008 and at the time topped the charts as the safest vehicle ANCAP had tested. SAFEST LARGE SUVSMERCEDES-BENZ ML 36.34 See reviews of this car Luxury SUV has a slight risk of serious chest injury for driver and passenger in the head-on hit and a slight risk of serious leg injury for the passenger. The pillar moved 2mm. RANGE ROVER 36.19 See reviews of this carBig Brit has a slight risk of serious chest injury for the driver and the pillar shifted by 15mm.   NISSAN PATHFINDER 35.73 See reviews of this carSlight risk of serious leg injury for the driver. Unlike the other two, it applies to the upper leg as well as the expected lower-leg hits. Docked points for a marginal pedestrian impact result.

Confirmation was unavailable as we went to print but Skoda has confirmed the versatile and internationally acclaimed SUV is on its way to Skoda showrooms here.  But Skoda has so far declined to commit to timing, beyond saying ‘later this year’ – it could mean October.The Motor Show could be an ideal time to check out what is sure to be one of the coolest and most distinct new entrants among the SUV set over coming months. The vehicle has snared a host of overseas awards including Top Gear’s Family Car of the Year for 2009 and Auto Express’s Car of the Year award this year.Given Australia’s penchant for finding homes for SUV’s this capable entrant is almost certain to succeed here. In Europe the Yeti offers two petrol engines, a hi-tech 1.2-litre with 77kW and a 1.8-litre with 118kW plus 2.0-litre turbodiesel power.  The 1.2-litre and the entry-level diesel is front-wheel-drive only, but the remainder of the range offers AWD capability, if not sheer all-terrain ability. Price? Still anyone’s guess, but likely to kick off in 2WD trim under $30,000.

The company last week confirmed the Yeti off-roader will hit local showrooms early next year. The much-needed compact off-roader will be available in both front and all-wheel drive with a range of petrol and turbo-diesel engines. Skoda Australia boss, Matthew Wiesner, says the wagon, which shares its hardware with the Volkswagen Tiguan, will be a critical part of the local operation's lineup and help drive more sales. "It will attract a younger audience to the brand," he says. "There's no doubt the compact off-roader segment is on fire and the Yeti will give us an opportunity to get into that." Wiesner also believes it will help shed more light on the Czech carmaker's other off-roader, the Octavia Scout. From October the Scout gets a dual clutch transmission to supplement the current six-speed manual. "I think it will be a nice little surprise package," Wiesner says. He expects that by adding a DSG Scout sales will lift considerably. The Subaru Outback rival currently gets by with a six-speed manual gearbox but with most off-roader sales automatics it has struggled against its opposition. Wiesner expects between 80 and 90 per cent of Scout buyers to tick the DSG option. The arrival of the Yeti and Scout DSG will also coincide with a lift in Skoda servicing centres across the country. At present there are 22 dealers nationally but the company is adding more specific service and after-sales centres in regional and rural areas to give the brand a solid national coverage. Apart from the Yeti, Skoda will add an entry 90kW TSI Octavia to the lineup in a few months. Skoda Australia is forecasting a lift in sales of up to 40 per cent this year, on the back of the arrival of the Superb wagon, Octavia update and addition of a DSG on the Scout. The company has sold 340 vehicles so far this year with the main seller being the Octavia. Despite its low base sales are up 27 per cent this year.

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.

Skoda unveiled the Tiguan-based Yeti compact SUV and a pair of new and updated Fabia models, the soft-road Scout and the performance RS at this week's Geneva motor show ... and all are on the Australian importer's wish list. “The Scout — and the RS — are part of the ongoing Fabia discussion,” Skoda Australia boss Matthew Wiesner says. “We have been working on it for a while but the exchange rate dive didn't do us any favours and while it is getting closer it is not easy.” While the pricing struggle has been painful, Wiesener can see a silver lining with a freshen of the range likely to correspond with any decision to import into Australia. “Realistically, there is a facelift due for Fabia next year and that will provide a good opportunity for us to introduce the car, and not just the entry hatch but the full range.” Wiesner says the addition of Fabia and Yeti to the Australian Skoda line-up will have the effect of adding emotion to the brand and better targeting the younger buyers the Czech brand is trying to reach. “These models, particularly the Fabia RS and Yeti will do a lot for the brand. The RS has real performance credentials and the Yeti is a perfect example of what the brand is all about —making cars that offer a decent interior size without being too onerous in their presence on the roads.” The current Skoda Australia garage consists of the Roomster, the Octavia range including a scout and RS model, and the recently launched Superb. “When you look at it there is plenty of room to add the Fabia range and the Yeti,” Wiesner says. Based on VW's Tiguan compact SUV platform, the Yeti is a high-riding urban softroader with the requisite plastic cladding and sculpted wheel arches giving it a look of civil toughness. At 4.2 metres the Yeti is not much bigger than a hatch and given the platform's VW Golf origins that is not in the least surprising. However, inside the car does a good impression of an East-European Tardis with generous passenger room front and rear albeit at the cost of any genuine luggage space. If you don't need the rear seats they can be removed and that will boost load carrying capacity to a very useful 1760 litres. Yeti will be available, in Europe at least, in both front- and all-wheel drive coupled to a pair of petrol engines (1.2-litre TSI and 1.8-litre TSI) and three tuning levels of a 2.0-litre turbo diesel.