Skoda Yeti facelift to launch on September 10

Skoda is preparing a facelift version of its Yeti which will go on sale on September 10 this year. The Yeti has failed to make its mark in the Indian market, but Skoda is still optimistic about the car and has decided to update it. The facelifted Yeti is available in two different avatars in the international market - a standard 'City' version and a more beefy 'Outdoor' version, the latter featuring bolder cues in its body cladding and scuff plates. Skoda had displayed the Yeti Outdoor at the 2014 Auto Expo and the same car was seen testing in India, which confirms that this version will make its way to India.

The frontal styling on the Yeti facelift has been revamped to conform to Skoda's new corporate look. A part of this is a wider grille, more angular headlights (the round fog lamps are gone) and a different front bumper. While the facelifted version looks much sharper than before, it has lost some of its quirkiness from the original car. The distinctive glasshouse hasn't changed and that should make the Yeti easily identifiable, even in profile. A mildly revised tail gate and lights complete the makeover.

The facelift is expected to get more kit. The Yeti gets keyless entry and go system, an electrically adjustable driver's seat, cruise control and rear view camera in other markets, and some of these features could make it to the Indian car as well. However, inside the cabin, changes are expected to be limited to a new three-spoke steering wheel and colour for the plastics.

Under the hood, the Yeti will continue to be powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel in two states of tune - a 108bhp, front-wheel drive and a 138bhp all-wheel-drive version. Both engines will be mated to manual gearboxes only.

No official announcement about the pricing has been made yet, however, we expect the new Yeti to cost about 7-8 percent more than the current version. That would equate to prices in the Rs 15.5-19 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) bracket.