Skoda unveils beefier Yeti Xtreme concept

Worthersee, in Austria, has been playing host to the annual gathering of Volkswagen GTI enthusiasts. For more than three decades, the annual event unites fans from across the globe where they get to see some pretty wacky and exciting concepts by Volkswagen and its sister brand Skoda, and this year’s show is no exception.

Last year it was the strikingly good looking Rapid Sport concept which was unveiled by Skoda at Worthersee. This year, the Czech carmaker will be presenting the Yeti Xtreme – a concept rally car based on the standard Yeti. 

Skoda says the Yeti Xtreme demonstrates the brand’s expertise in four-wheel drive technology and its experience in rally sports.  The Yeti Xtreme combines the abilities of an all-wheel drive SUV with typical design elements and equipment found in a rally car. 

Under the hood, the concept gets a 1.8-litre TSI petrol engine mated to a 6-speed dual clutch transmission (DSG). The turbocharged engine is good for 150bhp of power and 250Nm of torque, allowing the Yeti Xtreme to accelerate from zero to 100 kmph in 9 seconds, there onwards to its top speed of192 kmph. The concept also gets special Octavia RS sourced brakes. 

The Yeti Xtreme is finished in striking matt-grey and stands on 17-inch alloy wheels and large off-road tyres. At the front, the concept boasts of a muscular new bumper design and a large air intake, along with LED headlights. For added off-road utility, Skoda says the height of the chassis can also be adjusted. At the rear, there is a new bumper and two wide exhaust tailpipes which, according to Skoda, emit a throatier sound compared to the standard Yeti as a result of the absence of silencers. The boot includes a spare wheel and special traction mats that can be pushed under the wheels, should the car get stuck in the sand.

The Yeti Xtreme concept will make its debut at Worthersee next weekend, alongside the CitiJet concept which is an open-top version of Skoda’s compact hatchback, the Citigo.