Frankfurt Motor Show: Skoda Yeti Cabriolet, Octavia vRS

[Overheat]

Remember the Yeti, the 4x4-lookalike concept Skoda displayed at the Geneva Motor Show? It's back - but this time, it's lost its roof. A friendly, non-aggressive urban runaround, it is based on the front-wheel-drive Fabia platform, and has been designed to be tough and rugged yet simple and user-friendly. Its roof system is a manual one, developed by Karmann around the idea of a three-in-one vehicle.

If that sounds worryingly like the deeply-flawed Citroen Pluriel, then have faith: the Yeti cabriolet does actually have special storage compartments to store both the lift-out, targa-style hard-top panel from the front section, and the rear folding, removable canvas hood. A four-seater, it has a flat rear load bay which, with the canvas roof out of the way, really emulates the back end of a pick-up. With its frameless side windows retracted, it can give a fully open driving experience. So it's an (almost) hard-top hatch, a cabriolet and a mini-truck, all in one.

The show car is finished in orange paint, with the roof panel in white; its interior is upholstered in easy-clean, tough sportswear-type fabrics and incorporates a removable stereo system for outdoor parties and so on. Less boxy than the hard-topped Yeti seen in Geneva, it's reminiscent of the original beach buggies, Suzuki SJs and the like that kicked off the whole craze for 'lifestyle' 4x4s in the first place.

No decision has yet been made over putting the Yeti into production, but top-level executives are said to be considering it "positively", and it's likely that the green light will be given fairly shortly if the reaction in Frankfurt is positive.

Skoda's other story this week is the Octavia vRS: to come in either saloon or estate form with the VW Group turbocharged 2.0-litre FSI engine (200bhp, as seen in the Golf GTI), it accelerates from 0-60mph in 7.3 seconds and will crack 149mph. The estate is fractionally slower to 60mph, and tops out at 147mph. Skoda engineers have been busy tuning the Octavia's suspension and steering for a more engaging drive. Its relatively low price compared to its Golf equivalent should ensure some would-be GTI buyers are tempted, though Skoda hasn't confirmed UK prices yet. Five paint colours exclusive to the vRS models will be available eventually, with only Race Blue on offer from launch. A high-performance diesel derivative is expected in 2006.

 

[bihus]

That Skoda vRS is quite likely to become my next car, in 2.0 TDI 170hp guise...

 

[static]

A bit old but I have to reply to this. I think it's good but the same time I don't really like it.
The interior is nice, I mean check this ( http://www.skoda-auto.com/fin/model/octavia_rs/360/ ) out. A very Audish interior and that's a compliment.

And Audi A4 with that same 2.0T FSI engine is 20% more expensive so this is quite a bargain.
But I just don't like the back so much, I think it needs a tad more grunt.

bihus, why on earth would you like a diesel?? Well ok, you can have the DSG gearbox with diesel only but that's it.

 

[pdanev]

^ So that he doesn't have to visit a petrol station every 100km's? He likes to have lotsa torque?

 

[bihus]

In fact, I think the DSG won't be available with the diesel (too much torque) only with the 2.0 TFSI.
Why I would prefer a diesel... Well,
-Petrol is a lot more expensive here (more than 25%)
-The petrol car will use more than 15l/100 when pushed, and the diesel will never go beyond 10l/100k, and will probably use around 8l/100km most of the time. If
-I do, at least, 25000 km per year.
-When resale time comes, it will be worth more than ?5000 more than the petrol one.
-I have a S2000 and a Civic VTi at home, that I can use whenever I want.

As you can see, these are basically economic reasons, but very important ones. That said, I would obviously prefer the 2.0TFSI RS. Or even the GTI. Or even a RX8.
But nothing is decided yet. My father (who will pay for the car) won't probably buy me a petrol car, and it doesn't want to buy me a VAG one, again. My previous and actual Audis have given me some problems, and he's a fan of japanese cars, so he isn't used to having problems.
So, the alternatives I'm considering are (in order of probability):
-Lexus IS220d
-Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI (preferably the RS with 170hp)
-Audi A4 2.0 TDI (Avant, Sedan, Cabrio; not choosen yet)
-BMW 330Cd (used)
-BMW 320d (too expensive)

As you can see, no petrol.

 

[static]

Yeah I think you are right. It seems there is no DSG available with that engine either.
That's a bit shame though. Petrol engined RS Octavia with DSG would be so sweet but it steps too directly to GTI Golf's turf

But those are nice alteratives you've got. Althought my number first choice would propably be that 330d BMW. It will hold it value pretty well and E49 are the best looking beemers yet. If you like Audis interior (and if I remember correctly you do) you will like the BMW as well.

 

[bihus]

There will be a DSG RS, afaik.

Yeah, the Coupe E46, the 330Cd has a sweet engine, nice interior, and it's the most beautiful BMW, I think. The problem is that it would be used, and the man with the money doesn't like used cars, too.

But of course this would be great...

http://img405.imageshack.**/img405/3244/14ny.jpg http://img405.imageshack.**/img405/586/25bq.jpg http://img405.imageshack.**/img405/2498/35wa.jpg http://img407.imageshack.**/img407/7568/44ee.jpg

 

[vRS]

Dont like the looks of the new vRS, to soft and not as angry or agressive as the last one(also looks higherof the ground), but its just as quick and as well built as the GTI but cheaper(a good ?3k cheaper). You should get DSg with the petrol and diesel.

 

[bihus]

It doesn't look as angrier, but it looks more sophisticated, if you can say so. Like the new GTI. A gentleman racer.
BTW, here's something really nice.
I know the quality isn't the best. I'll try to edit it tomorrow with a better photo.
http://img417.imageshack.**/img417/703/chgti5eh.th.jpg

 

[astroboymoto]

Why can't they start building Tatra's again? instead of this crap

 

[bartboy9891]

Why can't they start building Tatra's again? instead of this crap

yea tatra's are awesome!
http://img383.imageshack.**/img383/8603/tatradakar23wh.jpg

 

[SL65]

The Yeti would be the perfect dune buggy but you wouldnt want to be seen on the road with it for the rest of the year..
The Octavia vRS ceratinly looks good but I wouldnt buy one bihus. Skodas arnt very reliable. We have a friend whos got a Superb and its spent most of its time in a garage.
And diesel? I certainly wouldnt...but you have you reasons

 

[bihus]

Oh, "#$%%&"#! I had so much written, and the post didn't go through. Damn.
Anyway, I was going to say that Skodas have placed themselves very high on JD Power's and Top Gear's surveys, 2nd if I'm not mistaken. But I know they are basically VWs, so they aren't bullet proof (not even close). That's why my father doesn't want to buy me another Audi. But the Skoda even less. BMW will be too expensive (?50k+) with some extras. The Lexus will be close to that value, but our Toyota dealer is 1 mile from home, and we are treated there like almost nobody else. So it's the stronger option, if I like the car and how it drives. I'm a little sceptic about the engine, though. It is powerful enough, but maybe it lacks the grunt I'm used to in TDIs.
Another thing I had written was that my mechanic, who deals with Audis, Mercedes, BMWs, Porsches, Ferraris, Imprezas, Evos, Maseratis, Jaguars (you get the point) says that from the german trio, Mercedes are the most unreliable ones, and Audis and BMWs are at the same level globally, if you remove one or two engines from the consideration. And I'm not saying this to mess with you, btw. It's just that me too, I'm scared of buying anything other than japanese.
Oh, and diesel is almost sine qua non, not an option.