Skoda Yeti and Superb join Skoda’s eco range

Skoda has added eco-variants of the Yeti and Superb during the launch of its second-generation ‘GreenLine’ range at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. The badge now covers the entire Skoda range, employing just two direct-injection, common-rail turbo diesel four-pots across all eight models, both of which are used in VW’s BlueMotion cars.

It’s the 75bhp 1.2-litre engine for the Fabia and Roomster, while the Octavia, Yeti and Superb get the 105bhp 1.6-litre unit. Regenerative braking and start-stop add to the range’s eco-credentials.

Well, they’re up there. The supermini Fabia and Fabia Estate steal the headlines with truly excellent emissions of 89g/km of CO2 and economy of 83.1mpg, edging the VW Polo on both counts, while the Roomster emits 109g/km of CO2 and returns 67.3mpg, setting a new economy benchmark for compact MPVs.

The Roomster’s figures are matched by the 1.6-litre Octavia estate, while the lighter hatchback cuts CO2 output to 99g/km and squeezes 74.3 miles from each gallon of diesel.

Skoda’s quirky but likeable crossover, the Yeti, returns 61.4mpg in GreenLine guise, and creates emissions of 119g/km of CO2, while the Superb and cavernous Superb estate fare even better at 64.2mpg and 114g/km of CO2.

Unsurprisingly, we’re afraid so. While Skoda maintains that “performance is not compromised”, the GreenLine Yeti, for example, takes 12.1sec to reach 62mph from a standing start, and tops out at 109mph. Not exactly bracing, but those figures actually put it on a par with the existing 2.0-litre TDI 4x4. So, earth-pounding traction or earth-saving emissions, the choice is yours.

By Richard Webber