Skoda SUVs on way

Skoda has revealed plans to expand its range with a pair of new SUVs. And we got all the details following a chat with Eckhard Scholz, Skoda’s technical director, at the Geneva show.

Scholz told us: “There are several volume segments we are not currently in. We’re discussing both directions at the moment [MPV and SUV]: personally, I prefer SUVs.”

He continued: “There’s certainly space in the range for two SUVs, one bigger and one smaller than the Yeti. Whatever models we bring, they have to be compatible with our international markets – India, China and Russia.”

While the small SUV will use the VW Group’s new MQB platform, as shown on the VW Cross Coupe concept, the large one would need to be based on the Touareg’s underpinnings.

Scholz hinted: “Our big SUV needs an attractive price. It can’t be luxurious like the Touareg. It has to be practical and attractive. The Yeti is fantastic on road, but not so great off-road. In the bigger SUV segment, it needs to be a different concept with bigger wheels plus different engines and transmissions.”

Scholz didn’t offer a timeframe for these two cars, yet with the VW Group’s parts bin at his disposal, they could arrive in two years. In the meantime, a seven-seater Yeti is on the way.

He denied a Citigo vRS was also planned, using the 109bhp three-cylinder turbo from the VW up! GT, but said that an electric Citigo is in the pipeline and a two-cylinder petrol engine is under consideration.