Yeti - Are Skoda Australia nuts?

[K1W1]

A 77kW two wheel drive version?

They have to be nuts to market that here at launch The car will get a reputation as an overweight underpowered slug and go the way of the Roomster real quick.

Reviewers will overlook the positives of the 103kW 4WD and hone in on the dull uninspiring performance of the 2WD version.

[Jake02]

Looking quickly at the specs, the 77TSI 2x4 weighs 190kg less than the 103TDI 4x4 and it's not even two seconds slower to 100. But you know why they're bringing in the 77TSI? It's so they can be comfortably under $30k in pricing (go against Dualis etc) and that they have DSGs for both their engines. Of course, the 90TSI and 118TSI would be better but they're manual only, and we all know how much this Market loves autos (even though I'd love to see Skoda bring in some manual-only models - they'd face criticism yes but for us manual drivers it'd be fine). I for one, would buy the 125TDI (0-100 in 8.4 seconds is pretty identical to the Octy RS TDI!).

I'll post pics of the Yeti from the motorshow soon .

[BlackOctaviaRS]

They'd be better off also bringing in a spec'd up Yeti with the 147TSI engine, to compete with the top of the range Tiguan. I think people would be more likely to then buy this than a Tiguan, as the Yeti actually has a usable boot.

I really hope Skoda Australia don't stuff up their marketing and specs for the Yeti, it would be such a shame to see a great car not given what it truly deserves.

[bobski]

Yeah, they must be aiming at that "looks like an SUV but isn't" segment. Reviews said that it wasn't blistering, but more than enough to get around town. I reckon this'll be a "mum's car" proposition. I could definitely see my wife wanting something as practical as this to get the kids around (not that we have any yet ). And 6.4 litres per hundred is nothing to be sniffed at compared to the japanese that are doing low 8's.

Its just getting them through the doors, but the word is out, right?

[flyingfridge]

Looking quickly at the specs, the 77TSI 2x4 weighs 190kg less than the 103TDI 4x4 and it's not even two seconds slower to 100. But you know why they're bringing in the 77TSI? It's so they can be comfortably under $30k in pricing (go against Dualis etc) and that they have DSGs for both their engines. Of course, the 90TSI and 118TSI would be better but they're manual only, and we all know how much this Market loves autos (even though I'd love to see Skoda bring in some manual-only models - they'd face criticism yes but for us manual drivers it'd be fine). I for one, would buy the 125TDI (0-100 in 8.4 seconds is pretty identical to the Octy RS TDI!).

I'll post pics of the Yeti from the motorshow soon .

Great point about the autos, you can't sell a mainstream targeted car in oz without an auto unless you plan to fail. the 77 makes sense to me now.

[K1W1]

I know that the reason for the model will be to be able to advertise a low entry level price but the Skoda market is not Dualis or RAV4 buyers and the huge flaw in the scheme will be stock. Nobody but nobody is going to buy an el cheapo $29,990 (or whatever the price is) Yeti and then wait 3 months for delivery. For this nutty scheme to work dealers will have to have stock in their yards so buyers can walk around and buy a specific car on Saturday then pick it up on Tuesday or Wednesday when the paperwork and PD has been completed.

[RSwag]

I know that the reason for the model will be to be able to advertise a low entry level price but the Skoda market is not Dualis or RAV4 buyers and the huge flaw in the scheme will be stock. Nobody but nobody is going to buy an el cheapo $29,990 (or whatever the price is) Yeti and then wait 3 months for delivery. For this nutty scheme to work dealers will have to have stock in their yards so buyers can walk around and buy a specific car on Saturday then pick it up on Tuesday or Wednesday when the paperwork and PD has been completed.

I understand your concerns Kiwi but u can't agree whole heartedly, I think the Dualus and Rav4 will be the hunting ground for sure. The 1.2TSi (if promoted and managed correctly) will be a wow factor point if difference. It's 0-100km/h is nit to far off the Rav 4 but the fuel efficiency is less than half in th real world.

And on top of that the drive reviews from europe have been very impressed with the 1.2tsi in the Yeti. The young mum audience do not want power, they want comfort, quality and efficency, I believe that this model will capture this audience which as a demographic far outway anyone who would buy the TDi 4x4 to tow or go semi-off road

[woofy]

You haven't met my wife (young mum) she is still complaining about losing her sporty car and wants the RS as soon as she can get her hands on it. Teeny boppers and airheads don't care about power, but most women are wanting things with more go these days, the closer to 30 the more likely.

[K1W1]

I think the Dualus and Rav4 will be the hunting ground for sure.

I'll give Skoda Australia a free tip.
People who go shopping for a Nissan Dualis or Toyota 2WD RAV4 would not in one hundred years contemplate buying a Skoda.
Why?
They want to buy now not in three or four months.
A Skoda is a European car therefore it will be expensive to maintain, spare parts will not be available, the resale value will be zero and without even checking they will know that the insurance costs will be astromical.
They will have to drive past 6 Nissan and 12 Toyota dealers to find one Skoda dealer.
There is no local Skoda dealer.
They are not going to buy a car that doesn't sponsor ACA or World of Sports or Masterchef and saturate their TV with ads.
Their friends at the Kinder, mothers goup, football club or school have never heard of Skoda (how do you pronounce that anyway?) and will advise them against it.
Wheels magazine will say that Yeti's are underpowered.
The SMH and Age will say that Yeti's are underpowered.

In 12 months time the 77kW Yeti will be having a run out just like the Roomster did. I hope I'm not correct but I fear I will be.

[Jake02]

In 12 months time the 77kW Yeti will be having a run out just like the Roomster did. I hope I'm not correct but I fear I will be.

I hope you're wrong too, but I have to agree. Personally, I only care about the 103TDI 4x4 and I'm sure that'll sell well. The under-$30k road is a good road to travel on, but I fail to see why they can't just give it the 103TDI and make it lower specced - it'd be such a better offering.

I've been watching some YouTube vids on it and I have to say, the 118TSI sounds pretty good too!

[PassatB6]

I'll give Skoda Australia a free tip.
People who go shopping for a Nissan Dualis or Toyota 2WD RAV4 would not in one hundred years contemplate buying a Skoda.
Why?
They want to buy now not in three or four months.
A Skoda is a European car therefore it will be expensive to maintain, spare parts will not be available, the resale value will be zero and without even checking they will know that the insurance costs will be astromical.
They will have to drive past 6 Nissan and 12 Toyota dealers to find one Skoda dealer.
There is no local Skoda dealer.
They are not going to buy a car that doesn't sponsor ACA or World of Sports or Masterchef and saturate their TV with ads.
Their friends at the Kinder, mothers goup, football club or school have never heard of Skoda (how do you pronounce that anyway?) and will advise them against it.
Wheels magazine will say that Yeti's are underpowered.
The SMH and Age will say that Yeti's are underpowered.

In 12 months time the 77kW Yeti will be having a run out just like the Roomster did. I hope I'm not correct but I fear I will be.

That was VW's story 10 years ago, now friends (long term Japanese car buyers) are talking about buying a Golf. It will happen for Skoda too maybe not straight away. People are taken by the 'cuteness' of the Yeti.

[RSwag]

Kiwi, I think you hit on the single most important focal area for Skoda and that is the cost if their servicing. To be among the Jap stuff they need to forget about allowing dealers to screw customers with massive servicing costs as VW do. My Golf Wagon is covered by work but my wifes Golf hatch isn't. 30k service is a tiny $530 which in my mind is enough incentive to move it on which we will do before the next to more major serviced are due.

I've been told the 60k service is a pathetic $1400 before tyres brakes or discs are thrown into the equation, for god sales it's a 1.6 naturally aspirated petrol it's not anything special.

Skoda need to realize that your point is valid and the overall ownership costs need to be in context to the market they are competing in which will be Jap territory.

[Transporter]

Some Japanese cars are as (or more) expensive to service than Skoda or VW.

[Jake02]

Some Japanese cars are as (or more) expensive to service than Skoda or VW.

That's too true, mainly because a lot of Jap cars have 6-month (as opposed to 12-month for most Euro cars) service intervals. That's one of the most enjoyable things about my RS coming from my Subaru, we're not at the dealer every five minutes (touch wood)!

[hooba]

That's too true, mainly because a lot of Jap cars have 6-month (as opposed to 12-month for most Euro cars) service intervals. That's one of the most enjoyable things about my RS coming from my Subaru, we're not at the dealer every five minutes (touch wood)!

Yup. My mazda, $220 every 6months or 10,000kms (I'd be lucky to do 5,000), not to mention the hassle of having to go in every 6 months.