Skoda’s preparing for SUV assault

Czech carmaker Skoda plans three new SUVs, including an X6-like coupe, to sit inside its line-up of unashamedly practical Volkswagen-based cars.

While it has the highly rated Yeti as its first SUV, it’s about to be joined by a conventional, large, 4.7-metre crossover in early 2017.

With five- and seven-seat layouts, the large, as-yet-unnamed SUV will stay true to Skoda’s new, crisply-edged design language and will carry a cabin similar in size and layout to the Superb wagon.

Its rear seat will be able to move back and forwards by 170mm, and it will use similar powertrains to those already in the Superb.

A year later it will deliver a coupe-styled SUV off the same architecture (indeed the same wheelbase), which will be around 120mm shorter and featuring swoopier rear glasswork that, unusually for Skoda, puts form in front of function.

The replacement for the current Yeti is due in 2018, and it is expected to sit o similar dimensions, with a similar practical focus to the current one.

It is also planning another SUV to take on the Nissan Juke, with more size and style than the Yeti, but clearly sitting beneath its largest model. Timing on this crossover has yet to be confirmed.