Yeti spotted

Having teased us with a near production-ready concept at the Geneva Motor Show a couple of years ago, Skoda has finally confirmed that it will put the super-cute little Yeti 4x4 into production.

Surprisingly though, it won't be based on the same platform as VW's upcoming compact 4x4, the Tiguan. Skoda bosses have decided that they don't want the two cars to compete head-on, and that they want to give the Yeti a lower cost base. So it will instead use components from the Fabia hatchback, and probably bits of the old Octavia platform, jas as does the brilliant Roomster mini MPV. This will make the Yeti cheaper to build, and it will also be smaller and lighter than most 4x4s, which should allow Skoda to pitch it as an environmentally responsible SUV. Expect to see it in Skoda dealers by mid-2009.

Skoda has also confirmed that the Superb saloon will be replaced. Many had suggested that slow sales would scupper plans for a second-generation of the affordable luxury saloon, but it seems that enough people like it for Skoda to do a new one. We're being promised that the new Superb will have much more distinctive looks and an aeven higher-quality interior. It'll arrive on these shores at the end of 2008.