Well fellow Yeti people it has happened at last. After a few weeks of watching from the sidelines my order had gone in with Allams of Epsom for a new Yeti 1.2 TSI S with factory fit ESP, spare wheel and carpet mats. In the end I decided to go for Corrida Red although Candy White did run it close. Any uncertainty with regards to the Yeti soon vanished after taking a 1.2 for a test drive. Far more responsive than any 1.2 engine in a big (ish) car has any right to be. Tidy handling, good ride, refined, very impressive use of interior space, very solid quality feel, all told one cracking car in my opinion. The only fault that I could find was that when I lowered the driver's seat and steering wheel the instruments were not fully visible. People have commented on this before but I simply raised the seat a little more and soon found a comfortable driving position with which the dials could be seen.

Rather than buy locally I went on recommendation from this excellent forum and visited James at Allams of Epsom (130 miles away from me). From my experience today this is exactly the kind of garage that I like to buy cars from. Friendly service from people who are not just sales people but genuine car enthusiasts and yes, Aerofurb, the coffee is very good! I also got a very good deal which, although not quite Drive the Deal price, was close enough given that I was properly looked after and wanted to part exchange. I have been told to expect delivery in late March and so now must find new and amusing ways of twiddling my thumbs until my Yeti arrives

Good call!

Re the instruments, thought it was an issue to start with - now just put the steering wheel where it's most comfortable and don't even notice the top of the instruments is cut off; it's not the bit I use anyway and was never a fan of the chrome surround.

Good call!

Re the instruments, thought it was an issue to start with - now just put the steering wheel where it's most comfortable and don't even notice the top of the instruments is cut off; it's not the bit I use anyway and was never a fan of the chrome surround.

Yes, I don't think that it will be an issue and didn't consider it to be a problem as soon as I had played around with the seat and wheel a bit more and was driving around. Have to say that compared to the new VW Golf that I had also been considering, the driving position of the Yeti with its view of the road is fantastic.

Excellent shrub,

thought you might be hooked after driving the Monster. Not had a go in a 1.2 yet but hopefully sometime in the near future I might get a chance.

Pleased you went for the S with the ESP and spare good choose.

TP

Excellent shrub,

thought you might be hooked after driving the Monster. Not had a go in a 1.2 yet but hopefully sometime in the near future I might get a chance.

Pleased you went for the S with the ESP and spare good choose.

TP

Thanks TP. I was originally considering an 'E' spec car but thought better of going for a new car without ESP. Unfortunately this cannot be specified as an option on the E model and so an S it had to be. In time I am guessing that ESP will be standard fit on the Yeti , but hell, I am not going to wait any longer! This also meant that I could order a spare wheel and I also get alloys, front fog lights, knee airbag, rear electric windows so very pleased with my choice. I saved a bit of money by going for Corrida Red instead of metallic but don't see it as a compromise. The people at the dealership all say that Corrida really suits the Yeti and this was not sales speak because it is a factory order. Thanks to your ever useful posts and photos I have also seen how good it looks on the car in the real world. If you drive the 1.2 after a 2.0 TDI you may find it a little lacking but approach it with an open mind as the entry level engine and it will truly surprise you. It is going to be an extremely long wait until the end of March but right now I am a happy bunny (although that might be partly down to the glass of wine in my other hand!)

Good luck with the car; March must seem like an eternity away; I know it does for me (I ordered mine today also)!! The 1.2 engine is supposed be great according to my local dealer and hopefully I will get to try one for myself soon.

Lee

Edited 11 January, 201016 yr by FocusZtec

Good luck with the car; March must seem like an eternity away; I know it does for me (I ordered mine today also)!! The 1.2 engine is supposed be great according to my local dealer and hopefully I will get to try one for myself soon.

I really tried to give the business to James at Allams but after calling several times and speaking to him and leaving messages I just couldnt get him to send me the figures!

Lee

Hi Lee,

I managed to get James to email exactly the deal I needed and so it is a shame that you didn't manage to get something sorted. Replies were not particularly speedy during our initial correspondence but having met up with him today (and his colleagues) I am glad that I perservered. James and the gang are real car enthusiasts and so much of a contrast to the vile creature that I met at my most local dealership who told me that if I didn't buy from him then the dealership would not go out of its way to help me if I wanted to bring my car to them for any subsequent work! I hope the next couple of months go quickly for both of us because I can't wait to get my Yeti.

Jason.

Obviously a dealer who knows how to look after his potential customers..........................................NOT.

Hi Lee,

I managed to get James to email exactly the deal I needed and so it is a shame that you didn't manage to get something sorted. Replies were not particularly speedy during our initial correspondence but having met up with him today (and his colleagues) I am glad that I perservered. James and the gang are real car enthusiasts and so much of a contrast to the vile creature that I met at my most local dealership who told me that if I didn't buy from him then the dealership would not go out of its way to help me if I wanted to bring my car to them for any subsequent work! I hope the next couple of months go quickly for both of us because I can't wait to get my Yeti.

Jason.

Hi Jason, I totally appreciate some dealers have a lot on at the moment but I do have to question why I should have to chase things for a fourth time in so many days just to give a dealer 22k of my hard earned cash tbh. ;-)

After leaving another message for James today, with no reply and no promised email with finance figures yesterday still I rang Palmers Skoda in Watford (where I bought my last Octy VRS from) and mentioned the situation I was in and within 30 minutes they had rung me back and beaten the offer! I simply wanted to try to support a Briskoda sponsor tbh but Im happy now and by the sound of things, Allams are also doing well from Briskoda at the moment.

Lee

Hi Jason, I totally appreciate some dealers have a lot on at the moment but I do have to question why I should have to chase things for a fourth time in so many days just to give a dealer 22k of my hard earned cash tbh. ;-)

After leaving another message for James today, with no reply and no promised email with finance figures yesterday still I rang Palmers Skoda in Watford (where I bought my last Octy VRS from) and mentioned the situation I was in and within 30 minutes they had rung me back and beaten the offer! I simply wanted to try to support a Briskoda sponsor tbh but Im happy now and by the sound of things, Allams are also doing well from Briskoda at the moment.

Lee

I totally agree with you Lee; there are few things worse than being ignored and if this had happened to me then no doubt I would have become similarly disheartened and looked elsewhere. However, we have both now ordered our cars and so let's hope all goes well from here Jason

Thanks TP. I was originally considering an 'E' spec car but thought better of going for a new car without ESP. Unfortunately this cannot be specified as an option on the E model and so an S it had to be. In time I am guessing that ESP will be standard fit on the Yeti , but hell, I am not going to wait any longer! This also meant that I could order a spare wheel and I also get alloys, front fog lights, knee airbag, rear electric windows so very pleased with my choice. I saved a bit of money by going for Corrida Red instead of metallic but don't see it as a compromise. The people at the dealership all say that Corrida really suits the Yeti and this was not sales speak because it is a factory order. Thanks to your ever useful posts and photos I have also seen how good it looks on the car in the real world. If you drive the 1.2 after a 2.0 TDI you may find it a little lacking but approach it with an open mind as the entry level engine and it will truly surprise you. It is going to be an extremely long wait until the end of March but right now I am a happy bunny (although that might be partly down to the glass of wine in my other hand!)

Well done Shrub!

Having recently driven the 1.2 I was really impressed with performance, responsiveness and refinement (the latter more so than in a TDI 170 Elegance I'd been given a lift in: could be the former's 2wd or the smaller wheels?). At one point I accelerated from 30mph (in 4th I think) with the intention of getting to about 45. After a couple of seconds I glanced at the speedo and was surprised to see I'd passed 55!

I'd re-evaluate the idea of it being an "entry" engine and see it more as one of a range of engines which more than meets the needs of a particular group of buyers.

I think the S brings those few extras to enhance the ownership experience and as you say alllowed you to specify the important ESP.

I'm sure you'll be very happy withyour choice

I'm really looking forward to my 1.2 Elegance (hopefully by end of month!).

I had ordered a golf, but cancelled. Had an unplanned 250 mile drive of a basic diesel this week - nice enough, really good engine, but just a bit boring.

I liked the gear-indicator/suggestor, which I think is standard now ?

Well done Shrub!

Having recently driven the 1.2 I was really impressed with performance, responsiveness and refinement (the latter more so than in a TDI 170 Elegance I'd been given a lift in: could be the former's 2wd or the smaller wheels?). At one point I accelerated from 30mph (in 4th I think) with the intention of getting to about 45. After a couple of seconds I glanced at the speedo and was surprised to see I'd passed 55!

I'd re-evaluate the idea of it being an "entry" engine and see it more as one of a range of engines which more than meets the needs of a particular group of buyers.

I think the S brings those few extras to enhance the ownership experience and as you say alllowed you to specify the important ESP.

I'm sure you'll be very happy withyour choice

Thanks Helix. I have to say that I went to the test drive expecting to at least like the car but went away wondering how a car could offer so much for so little. I would not take anything away from the 4x4 TDI 140 or 170 models and would not hesitate to buy one if my budget had stretched that far, however for the £13 - £14k that you pay for an S (with a bit of discount) I think that the Yeti is without equal. Perhaps that is why the motoring press favour the lower spec cars?

Edited 9 January, 201016 yr by shrub

I'm rather gratified that it seems I haven't 'over-sold' the virtues of the 1.2 on here.

If folks are still being genuinely impressed by how good it really is then I think the balance is right.

Re: the seating, I must have spent at least 500 miles changing things very slightly each time I drove it, now it just feels right. (Seat is as low as it will go, not quite all the way back and wheel is fully out and low enough to rest arms on top of my legs on long drives - and obscure the tops of the dials.)

Hi to all!

I have ordered 1.2 TSI Experience version in Cappuccino Beige Metallic color. It will be hopefully here by mid February. I'm not from UK, but just had to join this community as there is so much useful information! Keep up the good work!

Hi to all!

I have ordered 1.2 TSI Experience version in Cappuccino Beige Metallic color. It will be hopefully here by mid February. I'm not from UK, but just had to join this community as there is so much useful information! Keep up the good work!

Hi milovac,

welcome to the SMOC forum and thanks for your post. Have you had an opportunity to test drive the 1.2?

Regards,

TP

Hi to all!

I have ordered 1.2 TSI Experience version in Cappuccino Beige Metallic color. It will be hopefully here by mid February. I'm not from UK, but just had to join this community as there is so much useful information! Keep up the good work!

Hi Milo...welcome to the forum and in my not so humble opinion, definitely the best choice of colour for a Snow-monster

Hi Milo...welcome to the forum and in my not so humble opinion, definitely the best choice of colour for a Snow-monster

Thanx! I know it's a great colour, currently owning 1.6 16V Roomster in that color, and it worked well on it. Can't wait to swap it with new Yeti Was a bit concern about the 1.2 TSI performance, but I hope it will do the trick.

Cheers,

Dean

Hi milovac,

welcome to the SMOC forum and thanks for your post. Have you had an opportunity to test drive the 1.2?

Regards,

TP

No, not yet. But I've read some great reviews of the new engine and decided to give it a try

Cheers, Dean

I was a little worried about how the 1.2 would perform in the Yeti. The test drive answered those concerns instantly! A brilliant little engine, with so much torque. It's smooth and linear thoughout the rev range. I was particularly impressed with it's in-gear flexibility given the cubic capacity. That was with three adults aboard.

As a comparison the Yeti produces 175NM (129lb ft) of torque between 1500-3000rpm, my 2.0 Mazda MX5 only has 188NM (139lb ft) at 5000rpm!

Edited 10 January, 201016 yr by HKPhooey

I was a little worried about how the 1.2 would perform in the Yeti. The test drive answered those concerns instantly! A brilliant little engine, with so much torque. It's smooth and linear thoughout the rev range. I was particularly impressed with it's in-gear flexibility given the cubic capacity. That was with three adults aboard.

As a comparison the Yeti produces 175NM (129lb ft) of torque between 1500-3000rpm, my 2.0 Mazda MX5 only has 188NM (139lb ft) at 5000rpm!

Thanx! That sounds really nice and convincing ...

As a comparison the Yeti produces 175NM (129lb ft) of torque between 1500-3000rpm, my 2.0 Mazda MX5 only has 188NM (139lb ft) at 5000rpm!

All this talk of torque and I'm still confused as to how exactly it relates to the accelerative feel of a car. I know (I think!) how torque is defined - I rationalise it as just how firmly (!) I'd need to grip the crankshaft to prevent it moving - I guess it's sort of the force of each individual bang. But whereas I can sort of make a logical association between power (bangs per second) and the top speed of a car, ie the more power the higher the top speed (though not linearly because of aerodynamics), I still can't visualise the connection between torque and acceleration, or I suppose more properly between the combination of power & torque and acceleration.

And in any event, both power and torque are typically only defined at a certain engine rpm, whereas for acceleration you're more interested in aggregate acceleration across an rpm band.

What I really want to know are not the power and torque figures but the in-gear acceleration time over some reference speed band. If I look at my well-thumbed Autocar review of the CR140 Yeti (of unspecified newness/engine tightness), it tells me that in 3rd it will do 30-70 in 10.6 secs - 30-50 and 50-70 times added. (They actually quote (rather bizarrely) a 30-70 time of 11.2 secs - presume they chose to include a gear-change in that time). This seemingly corresponds to 1900 - 3690rpm (in 3rd) so not really over-stressing the engine.

I'm choosing the in-gear 30-70 time in a quest for some single figure that can express how accelerative a car might feel in a real-life situation. I guess there's going to be a respectable correlation

between this 30-70 value and a typical 0-60/0-62 figure but it's not going to be perfect and it's not going to answer this perception that high-torque diesels are somehow more accelerative than their 0-60 figures might suggest.

Unfortunately there are no comparable figures for eg a CR170 or 1.8 TSi Yeit nor indeed do I have access to a library of other Autocar reviews from which to cull some reference 30-70 values, eg for a 160 Golf GT (1.4TSi).

So anyone have any comparable 30-70 in 3rd figures that they could add to this please?

I agree prodata, in gear acceleration times are the most useful figures. They are quite hard to come by though.

The debate about torque and power rages on most car forums (a bit like the diesel and petrol arguments). Some say torque is the useful figure as it shows the possibility of acceleration. Others say that one is just the product of the other at a certain RPM anyway, and it's BHP that rules. All I know is that if you have lots of both and your car doesn't weigh much, it's fast