Seven-seat Skoda SUV and bigger Yeti on the way

Skoda is planning to launch a seven-seat SUV to sit above the Yeti model in its range. The replacement for the Yeti is also likely to be bigger than the current car.

Skoda's sales and marketing chief, Werner Eichhorn, told What Car? at the Frankfurt motor show that the company intends 'to have a bigger SUV in addition to the Yeti. Based on the market in China and Russia in particular, it seems there is some potential [for a car bigger than the Yeti].'

'We have a 5+2 in mind', added Mr Eichhorn, indicating that the new model would likely be pitched against seven-seat SUVs such as the Hyundai Sante Fe and Kia Sorento.

Mr Eichhorn also spoke about the next-generation Yeti, explaining that there is a desire for the replacement to be a larger car. He said that while the Chinese market will be sold a long-wheelbase version of the current model, the company wants a single variant of the next car.

'If you talk about a possible successor to the Yeti, size-wise, it will most probably be bigger than the existing car. The intention would be that we can offer the same product in Europe, Russia and China.'

Skoda may also consider introducing more style-focused models in the near future. Referring to the Rapid Spaceback – which had its debut at the show – Mr Eichhorn said: ''We'd like to build cars with a lasting effect,' adding that Skoda needed to 'drive a bit more emotion into our design'. Speculating on what these 'emotional' models might be, Mr Eichhorn said: 'Of course, this could be a development in to coupes – something like that.'

The seven-seat Skoda SUV isn't likely to appear until 2015, while the replacement for the Yeti is expected to be revealed a year later.