Skoda is plotting a large new 4×4 to sit at the top of its range, CAR can reveal. The new SUV will compete with Korean seven-seater SUVs like the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sportage, and be positioned a rung further up than Skoda’s wildly successful Yeti crossover.
Skoda’s new seven-seat SUV: what we know
Skoda’s top brass has already green-lighted the plan to offer a family 4×4, and early prototype miles are reportedly already at the initial testing phase, CAR has learned.
The new 4×4 will not be a sister-car to the confirmed new SUV from Skoda’s VW Group sister brand, Seat. While the Seat will be based on the existing Yeti’s platform, a candidate for the new Skoda’s platform is the MQB-B architecture which will underpin VW’s own new seven-seat SUV, due in 2016.
Alternatively, Skoda could cut costs (and jeep the car’s price down) by recycling architecture from the current VW family portfolio, such as the recently facelifted Touareg. Meanwhile, VW is also thought to be plotting an expansion of its long-wheelbase Tiguan sales, away from China and into the USA and possibly Europe, if demand is there.
What will Skoda name its ‘Super-Yeti’?
While the car is a dead cert, the name is anything but. Rumours of anything from Snowman to Yeti Plus have been bandied around so far. We’ll find out closer to the 4×4’s expected debut in 2017 or 2018.
>> Click here for CAR’s scoop of VW’s future SUV model plans