At this year’s GTI event at Worthersee, the Czech Republic automaker will be presenting the Skoda Yeti Xtreme – a world premiere of this sporty yet solid concept rally car based on the famous compact SUV. The event will also mark the launch of Citijet – a design concept built by Skoda apprentices. It’s with these expressive vehicles that the brand once again highlights the versatility and emotional qualities of its attractive model range.
This is the 33rd time that the revolutionary VW tuning event will be taking place. Around 200,000 tuning fans will be making the pilgrimage to the cult event in Reifnitz, Austria (28th to 31st May). The automaker will take part in the GTI event for the 5th time.
Werner Eichhorn, Skoda Board Member for Sales and Marketing said: “We want to continue the positive development and to grow further with new models over the coming years.” “Therefore we are going to reinforce the emotional vibrancy of the brand. The all-new Skoda Yeti Xtreme, as a powerful and dynamic compact Sports Utility Vehicle concept demonstrates the company’s strong expertise in 4-wheel drive technology, in addition to our know-how when it comes to rally sports.”
In creating the Skoda Yeti Xtreme, the designers have converted their successful compact SUV into a particularly dynamic and sporty rally design. The show car fuses the equipment features and strong design elements of a racy rally car with the power of an all-wheel drive SUV. Motivation for the vehicle comes from 1.8 liter TSI engine that’s rated at 112 kW of power with 250 newton meters of torque. The engine will be mated to a dual clutch 6-speed DSG transmission. The Yeti Xtreme accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.0 seconds with the top speed of 192 km/h. It features special Octavia RS brakes.
The stunning matt-grey Yeti stands on powerful 17-inch alloy wheels and large off-road tires and comes standard with tinted roof, wheel rim inserts and side windows are set off in bright yellow-green. At the front, the brawny athlete has a large air intake and a powerful bumper, in addition to LED headlamps. For robust sporting use, the height of the chassis can be adjusted.
The Skoda Yeti Xtreme flexes its muscles with powerful door sills and stunningly shaped wings. At the rear, the strong rear bumper bears witness to the dynamics and power of the vehicle, so do the two wide exhaust tailpipes, which sound particularly throaty as a result of the absence of silencers. The boot includes a so-called ‘recovery tracks’ and a spare wheel, special traction mats, which that can be pushed under the wheels, should the car get stuck in sand.
The interior wows with a racy rally design and includes equipment required for rally use. Passengers can sit on four individual Recaro sports seats with incorporated four-point safety belts. Other features include the ‘Super Sport’ steering column with integrated gearshift paddles. The designers have used selected high-tech materials for various parts in the interior: the inner door covers have been made completely from carbon fiber; a thermos flask and a sand shovel have been incorporated into holders fitted in the paneling; the floor panel is made from aluminum.
The Color & Trim package includes further high-quality, dark Alcantara surface with green color accents and carbon fiber elements. Further aluminum details can be found throughout, such as special door sill plates and aluminum pedals. The centre console has been completely redefined. This is where standard rally car accessories, including a fire extinguisher and a belt cutter, can be found. An iPad cradle is incorporated into the dashboard, a first aid kit into the glovebox.
The Skoda Citijet features a unique metallic finish in white and blue and has sporty, blue 16-inch alloy wheels, accompanied by a powerful exhaust with two tailpipes and a handmade rear spoiler. A 1.0 MPI petrol engine with 55 kW (75 PS) can be found beneath the hood.
The car features a sporty interior, with equipment based on the interior of the special edition Skoda Citigo Sport. In addition, the creators have installed music-reactive blue LED interior lighting and a special 300W sound system.
While the Skoda Yeti Xtreme Concept won’t enter showrooms, the standard Yeti has been successful in Europe. Since it was launched in 2009, Skoda has sold 640,000 copies of the Yeti.