Hiding under the guise of a stretched Yeti, Skoda is busy testing its new 7-seat crossover, the Snowman. It will debut in 2016 and right now, engineers are busy with Nurburgring testing.
They say a kilometer on this track is equivalent to ten in the real world, which means potential defects can be found much more easily. This is a crucial car to get right since it targets a growing market segment and will be the most expensive Skoda available.
Figuring out the architecture is easy – the MQB platform that also underpins the Octavia and Superb. It will be stretched to make a long enough SUV that can fit seven people in three rows of seats.
Known internally as the A-Plus SUV, it's going to borrow many features and technologies from the Superb, including most of the engines. These are reportedly going to start with 150 horsepower and work their way up to around 220. Even though VW has some under development for the MQB, 6-cylinder turbos are out of the question for the Snowman. All-wheel-drive should be standard, but there might be a few eco models with FWD.
With prices expected to start at around €25,000, the Snowman will be a very attractive car for people with large families. The Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento have both gone upmarket, so it's important to have an affordable alternative. It's worth noting, however, that the next generation of the Dacia Duster will also have a 7-seat variant.
Expect many of the "Simply Clever" features Skoda customers like to trickle down to the Snowman. These include rubberized cup holders, the ice scraper in the gas cap, gigantic door bins and a cargo area with nets.
Figuring out the architecture is easy – the MQB platform that also underpins the Octavia and Superb. It will be stretched to make a long enough SUV that can fit seven people in three rows of seats.
Known internally as the A-Plus SUV, it's going to borrow many features and technologies from the Superb, including most of the engines. These are reportedly going to start with 150 horsepower and work their way up to around 220. Even though VW has some under development for the MQB, 6-cylinder turbos are out of the question for the Snowman. All-wheel-drive should be standard, but there might be a few eco models with FWD.
With prices expected to start at around €25,000, the Snowman will be a very attractive car for people with large families. The Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento have both gone upmarket, so it's important to have an affordable alternative. It's worth noting, however, that the next generation of the Dacia Duster will also have a 7-seat variant.
Expect many of the "Simply Clever" features Skoda customers like to trickle down to the Snowman. These include rubberized cup holders, the ice scraper in the gas cap, gigantic door bins and a cargo area with nets.