Monte Carlo is another take on the Skoda Yeti, so it’s the same but even more so
But all good things must come to an end and so 2017 will see the back of the current Yeti, with a new model slated to go on sale in 2018. Skoda has already confirmed they will build the car and told us it will share quite a bit of the mechanics and technologies seen on the new VW Tiguan and the soon-to-be-launched Seat Ateca.
As is customary with the motor industry, the outgoing model has to hold its end up until the new one arrives and usually companies will dickey the old one up a bit to ensure saleability until it sells no more. This process usually involves adding a few bits of kit at little or no extra cost, or even coming up with an exclusive (sort of) new nameplate.
And thus we have the Skoda Yeti Monte Carlo which, aside from having all the personality and convenience we love in the regular Yeti, adds cosmetic stuff like a panoramic sunroof, two- tone body colour — in this case a white superstructure, with black roof pillars, door mirrors and roof, a front splitter, fancy-dan alloys, sports seats and upholstery and a flat-bottomed sports steering wheel. The tester was also fitted with the DSG auto gearbox.
Elsewhere, everything is pretty much as was, with such as the 150bhp two-litre turbodiesel with a top speed of 199km/h and a 0-100km/h time of nine second, emissions of 126g/km (for a Band B tax rate of €270) and a 4.8 l/100km (58 mpg) consumption level.
It is as good to drive as it ever was and as pleasing to live with too. Certainly some of the cosmetic changes add a visual kick to the proceedings which you will not find on standard models (the front splitter really adds to the front-end look), but essentially the package is simply as delightful as it ever was — just a little more so.
Wisely — for a company not having shown much wisdom lately — VW seems prepared to allow its own sales take a hit while supporting its associate brands’ expansion. Skoda, because of the uniqueness of cars such as the Yeti (not to mention the Octavia, Superb and the forthcoming SUV, the Kodiaq) is in a really good place to exploit this good fortune.
The Yeti Monte Carlo might not be the car that will do that, but it is a very attractive and well-equipped model which should very much do itself justice as the range goes into run-out mode.
in Monte Carlo guise from €26,995 to €31,165 as tested.
