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-   -   Skoda Yeti Facelift launched in India at 18.63 Lakhs (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian-car-scene/155348-skoda-yeti-facelift-launched-india-18-63-lakhs.html)

Mod Note: Please continue the discussion in the detailed report on the Skoda Yeti Facelift. Thanks!



Skoda re-launches the Yeti after giving it a mid-life makeover. The SUV is now available in a single 'Elegance' trim powered by a 2.0L TDI engine in two different states of tune. The two wheel drive version is available with 109 bhp and 250 NM of torque between 1500-2500 RPM, mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The four wheel drive version will be powered by a higher state of tune engine, producing 138 bhp and 320 NM of torque between 1750-2500 RPM, mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. Company claimed fuel economy for the 4x2 version is 17.72 kmpl while that on the 4x4 version is 17.67 kmpl (ideal test conditions).

The face of the Yeti receives a makeover with new bi-xenon headlights with daytime running lights, a new signature chrome front grill (similar to the one on the new Octavia and Superb) and re-designed front bumper with a more conventional position for the fog / cornering lamps. The side profile remains more or less unchanged apart from the two new 16 inch alloy wheel designs (namely 'Dolomite' and 'Forest' specific to the 4x2 and 4x4 variant respectively). The rear features C-shaped LED tail-lamps. The Yeti will be available with 7 colours - Candy White, Magic Black, Mato Brown, Lava Blue, Brilliant Silver, Corrida Red and Terracotta Orange; available with an option for contrasting roof (white, black or silver).

The interiors feature minor changes such as a new 3-spoke steering wheel and a wooden trim on the dashboard. The Yeti is well kitted and comes with features such as cruise control, Bolero infotainment system, 12-way adjustable driver seat with memory, electronically foldable door mirrors, optical park display with front and rear sensors, a start stop button with keyless entry and flexible rear seats.

Safety features include Electronic Stability Control, Anti-lock Braking System, Anti Slip Regulation, Electronic Differential Lock, Hill Hold and Descent Control and 6 airbags; available as standard.

The price of the Yeti is:
4x2 Elegance - 18,63,382 ex-Maharashtra/ 18,99,000 ex-Delhi
4x4 Elegance - 20,14,471 ex-Maharashtra/ 20,53,600 ex-Delhi

The Yeti needs a base Active/Ambience variant. Maybe they might launch it 6 months down the line. The front now looks much better than before.

In Mangalore the 4 x 4 Version costs a whopping 26+ Lakhs and the 4 x 2 version 23 Lakhs!! :Frustrati

In a one to one dialogue with the Director (Sales & Marketing), it was derived that Skoda consider the German trio as their core competitors (including Mini). Going by that logic, Skoda should have gone all out and introduced the DSG variant as well. However, Skoda denied any plans of bringing in an auto variant on the Yeti.

It looks nice, but without an automatic version, I do not think that the go-anywhere vehicle will go anywhere.

Looks fresh, especially the exterior. But looking at the price, I wonder what exactly the 4x2 version offer more than the Octavia Elegance TDI (except for the added ground clearance). Is this an exercise to make the Octavia look VFM?

Wow! that copper colour looks nice. Though it loses some character and attitude, the facelift looks quite handsome. I bet all those colour options will remain only on paper a few months down line.

I really wonder how Skoda intends to find buyers at nearly 25L OTR in cities like Bangalore. Instead of an MT only Elegance trim, a DSG only Elegance trim at the same price would have been a better strategy for this brilliant car.

Did they just increase the price by 4 lakhs for a minor facelift?

Although I am not in the market for a new car, but this is one car which I would upgrade too probably, but with the DSG. But I think instead of trying to revive the Yeti, they might just have killed it further.

Skoda Yeti is just trying to make Duster AWD, Aria AWD, Scorpio 4x4 etc look that much more attractive to buyers.

Yeti is a fantastic compact SUV but not worth more than 14L for regular & 16L for AWD.

I was waiting for this launch, No DSG and 21+ Lakh ex showroom Mumbai (from their website) doesn't look that attractive now.
Will wait till mid next year and see what happens in the market, hopefully a DSG.
Wondering what the Mercedes GLA will cost.

Skoda has lost the plot IMHO.....this car will struggle to sell high two digits month on month.

The face lifted version really looks good with the colour choices available. But the increased price and no DSG will put off potential buyers:mad:.
Hopefully they will launch a DSG version in Ambience variant please:

I think the 4 head lamps on the earlier Yeti had a distinct look and should have been carried over to the new Yeti, I don’t know why the entire Volkswagen group follow a same design philosophy on all the models and it is sometimes hard to differentiate between 2 models, and the price increase is totally unjustified, as per my communication with one of the skoda-india employee, the company is in bad shape in India, none of the models from skoda are selling enough and on top of that a starting price 18.63L , which would have fetched a top of the line yeti earlier, is too steep.

20.53 lakhs was not even the on road price of the older Yeti. On road was less than 20 even in Bangalore. With the ex-showroom crossing 20L, Karnataka will levy extra road tax which means the on road will cross 26 lakhs!! Suicidal pricing.

They missed the boat with the Yeti. The Yeti is almost 100% self drive not chauffeur driven. Rear seats are not the best and if anyone wants chauffeur driven, there's the Octy and Superb.

The Yeti is for the adventure loving self drive crowd. Those who want premium stuff along with the go anywhere capability. They don't like the crude SUV's or crossovers out there.

Now a majority of them will use the car in city 80-90% of the time. For those type of people an AT is a must and by NOT launching the DSG, they lost a huge chunk of those buyers.

Secondly I was thinking Skoda can actually refocus the Yeti a notch down. Yes it will dilute the brand but the segment focus is shifting to the 14-20L compact cross overs.

All they had to do was launch the 1.2TSI available in Europe/UK and the 1.6 TDI (Rapid/Vento engine). Get cheaper Ambition variants and price it between 15-17 lakhs. Perfect to go against the Duster/Terrano and tempt XUV buyers as well as give a second thought to Ecosport buyers.

Looks like they just gave up on the Yeti and went with whatever was possible within their limitations.

Wow, does Skoda not realise the potential that Yeti has (or had) in India ?

EcoSport and Duster are competent offerings, but Yeti comes across as a far more premium product to either of them. It tugs the heart string of someone who wants a not a BIG vehicle for daily city commute, but still provides versatility of a MUV/SUV for occasional weekend drives. A couple of lakhs over EcoSport and Duster, and I would have boought it in a heartbeat. At this pricing, why shouldn't I buy the Octavia instead of this over-grown Wagon-R ?