Skoda's model line-up will not receive any major debuts until next year. That's when the Snowman or Yeti SUVs will debut, probably as late as September's Paris Motor Show. We have no idea what either of them will look like, since the test prototypes have so far all been mules. But we can hope to see something along the lines of these images.
A couple of renderings made by the graphics manipulator Remco Meulendijk suggest the styling could be quite similar to the Superb flagship saloon. Of course, all Skodas have the same boxy design language that's easy to understand and non-offensive. However, the Superb has extra details in the headlights.
After several thousands of examples have already been delivered across Europe, we think it's fair to say the Superb isn't a spectacular car. It looks too bland to be a flagship and the previous model honestly looked more distinctive. So Skoda would be wise to do a better job with the SUV, since it plays such a crucial role.
But perhaps what the Snowman can do is more important than what it looks like, at least from the perspective of potential Skoda buyers. This will be the first model in the company's history to seat comfortably up to seven people, for example.
The underpinnings will theoretically be the same as any Volkswagen Group car based on the MQB platform. However, you can think of the Snowman as the 2016 Tiguan's poor cousin. Features like adaptive full-LED headlights and the latest twin-turbo TDI engine will be missing.
Speaking of which, the TDI scandal may cause significant delays in the development of the Skoda Snowman. All the Volkswagens affected by the Dieselgate scandal are equipped with 2-liter TDI engines, the same ones that most Skoda customers will buy. Sure, Czech SUVs will never be sold in America, so they won't need to comply with the strict California laws. However, we've been led to believe that about 11 million vehicles from across the world have the controversial emissions problem.
After several thousands of examples have already been delivered across Europe, we think it's fair to say the Superb isn't a spectacular car. It looks too bland to be a flagship and the previous model honestly looked more distinctive. So Skoda would be wise to do a better job with the SUV, since it plays such a crucial role.
But perhaps what the Snowman can do is more important than what it looks like, at least from the perspective of potential Skoda buyers. This will be the first model in the company's history to seat comfortably up to seven people, for example.
The underpinnings will theoretically be the same as any Volkswagen Group car based on the MQB platform. However, you can think of the Snowman as the 2016 Tiguan's poor cousin. Features like adaptive full-LED headlights and the latest twin-turbo TDI engine will be missing.
Speaking of which, the TDI scandal may cause significant delays in the development of the Skoda Snowman. All the Volkswagens affected by the Dieselgate scandal are equipped with 2-liter TDI engines, the same ones that most Skoda customers will buy. Sure, Czech SUVs will never be sold in America, so they won't need to comply with the strict California laws. However, we've been led to believe that about 11 million vehicles from across the world have the controversial emissions problem.