Shanghai Volkswagen, a joint venture between China's SAIC Group and German's Volkswagen AG, said on August 9th that it will launch its first SUV model bearing the Skoda badge, the Skoda Yeti, to the Chinese market early next year, media sources have reported.

The Skoda Yeti, which borrows features from the Skoda Roomster and Volkwagen's Golf-based Tiguan SUV, measures (LxWxH) 4223mm x 1793mm x 1691mm and has a wheelbase of 2578mm, smarter-looking and less bulky than the usual SUVs.

The Skoda Yeti will come to China with its original design. The car's overseas version carries a 1.2TSI and a 1.8TSI gas engine, which will be available in China as well, along with a 1.4 TSI version. Moreover, the Skoda Yeti is said to have the transmission and brakes of the roomster, and the suspension of the Skoda Fabia.

Despite being a two-wheel drive vehicle, its long suspension and high ground clearance make the Skoda Yeti competent enough for slightly rougher tracks. Targeting at young people, the Skoda Yeti is positioned lower than the Tiguan SUV, to mainly rival the Hyundai Tucson, the Kia Sportage, the Nissan Qashqai, etc..

"It is a very good time to introduce the Skoda Yeti to China this time given a booming trend in the joint venture SUV market in the country. In addition, Shanghai Volkswagen's four plants are all running at full capacity at present, so the company should not be able to meet the customers' demand for the Skoda Yeti SUV, and it is thus impossible for the dealers not to raise the car's price", the dealers said.