The first official images of the new Skoda Kodiaq large SUV’s exterior have been released
After what seems like an age, the first full official images of the production-ready Skoda Kodiaq have finally been revealed, after the concept car was unveiled at last spring’s Geneva Motor Show.
The new Kodiaq is the first part of the brand’s forthcoming multi-model assault on the booming SUV class. This includes a Skoda Yeti replacement – closely related to the SEAT Ateca and Volkswagen Tiguan.
Rumours abound of an even smaller Skoda SUV that’s set to take on the likes of the Peugeot 2008, Renault Captur, Vauxhall Mokka and Audi Q2, while it’s also thought that Skoda will make an even more stylish, almost coupe-esque SUV in the future, to compete with the Mercedes GLC Coupe and BMW X4. A rugged Scout version will also be available, as will a Sportline variant, while a hot vRS version is being considered.
However, Skoda’s first full SUV will be a large seven-seat affair to rival the likes of the Hyundai Santa Fe, Nissan X-Trail and Land Rover Discovery Sport when it goes on sale in early 2017.
These first images show that the Skoda Kodiaq’s design hasn’t – as expected – veered far from the course plotted by the Vision-S concept revealed at Geneva. The slender headlights that bleed into the large front grille (previewed on that concept car) are carried over just about unscathed, as are the C-shaped rear lights, which have become something of a Skoda calling card.
Under the bonnet, there’s likely to be a familiar range of turbocharged petrol and diesel engines sourced from across the Volkswagen Group, with 1.6 and 2.0-litre diesels likely to be the big sellers. However, the cheapest model to run is likely to be a plug-in hybrid version, although that’ll arrive in the range later than the other drivetrain options.
Skoda says the new car will boast the largest boot capacity in the class and the company’s latest assault on the booming SUV market will focus on technology, practicality and connectivity.
The Kodiaq name is a nod to the Kodiak bear that lives on a remote island off the south coast of Alaska. The native human inhabitants of the island – the Alutiiq – call the bear ‘Taq uka’, which is where the 'q' at the end of Kodiaq is derived from.
Skoda wants the Kodiaq to combine function and form in equal measure. The brand's head of design Jozef Kaban said: "We aspire to combine the highest degree of aesthetics with maximum functionality in such a way that one no longer speaks of different criteria. We are searching for beauty in simplicity, without disregarding functionality or ergonomics. A good design makes functionality attractive."
Unsurprisingly, the Kodiaq’s interior will be very familiar to those of you already well acquainted with the Volkswagen Group's range. Large, trapezoidal, portrait-orientated air vents flank the new infotainment touchscreen, which sits above the climate controls in the centre console.
Connectivity and in-car technology is becoming more and more of a focus for manufacturers and the same can be said for Skoda with the Kodiaq. Top-of-the-range models will come with Infotainment Online, which includes real-time traffic updates for the sat nav and an integrated wi-fi hot spot as standard. This connects to the web using, according to Skoda, “the fastest mobile communications standard currently available”.
As well as allowing passengers to browse the web while driving, the web connection allows access to Skoda’s Care Connect service, which will allow you to check some features of the car, find it in a car park and even configure some aspects of it. It’ll also have an eCall function, which automatically notifies the authorities in the event of a crash that deploys the airbags.
Smartphone connectivity has also been a focus, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink compatibility all standard features. The Skoda ‘phonebox’ uses wireless inductive charging to keep your phone topped up and connects it to the car’s aerial to improve signal.
The Kodiaq will also come with a variety of driver-assistance systems, including a range of cameras to allow you to see all around the vehicle, while a towing assistance system can steer the car automatically when you’re parking with a trailer attached. There are also upgraded parking sensors that can brake the car automatically, while adaptive cruise control will be available as an option.
Serious practicality is promised along with the smart looks: the Kodiaq will be a five-seater as standard, with sliding and split-folding rear seats, as well as an optional third row of seats making it the first seven-seat Skoda. Five-seat models come with a best-in-class 720-litre luggage capacity behind the second row of seats, while the seven-seat version sees this reduced to 630 litres.
The Kodiaq is also set to be festooned with cameras. Skoda’s Area View system includes front, rear and mirror-mounted cameras that’ll provide a 360-degree bird’s-eye view of the car during low-speed manoeuvres.
At launch, there’ll be a choice of two diesel and three petrol engines, with the most powerful petrol confirmed so far being a 177bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre. There will also be two turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engine, with one offering 123bhp and the other 148bhp. The second of these two engines will come with fuel-saving cylinder de-activation technology. It's the 177bhp turbocharged four-cylinder petrol model that will be the quickest model in the range at launch, though, managing 0-62mph in just 7.7 seconds. However, its 171g/km CO2 emissions and resulting £210-a-year road tax bill will amke it the choice of niche buyers.
It's the diesels will be the big sellers, however, with the 148bhp 2.0-litre version likely to be the most popular. Fitted with the six-speed DSG twin-clutch automatic gearbox and front wheel drive, this will be the cleanest model in the range, emitting 131g/km of CO2, meaning a £130 annual tax bill. Add four-wheel drive and a manual 'box and this will go up to 142g/km, putting your tax bill up to £145 a year.
There’ll also be a 187bhp diesel, likely to be the Kodiaq engine of choice for those who tow regularly and will be capable (unencumbered with a trailer, we might add) of doing 0-62mph in just 8.6 seconds. Meanwhile a high-performance 237bhp twin-turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel will arrive later and is set to provide even more pulling power.
The latest Volkswagen Tiguan is available as a GTE plug-in hybrid and the same technology could find its way into the Kodiaq – although it may prove too expensive for what’s still seen as the VW Group's ‘value’ brand.
The Vision S concept was a plug-in hybrid, producing 225bhp from a 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine and an electric motor. Skoda claimed the show car was capable of reaching 62mph from rest in just 7.4 seconds. A high-performance vRS version is also - according to our sister title Auto Express - "under discussion".
There’ll be a choice of six-speed manual and seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic gearboxes, while the Kodiaq will be offered with two-wheel drive as standard, with the option to specify four-wheel drive if you need extra grip. Alongside this, there’ll be selectable driving modes that can alter the driving experience to suit the conditions, as well as optimising the car for off-roading.
We've managed to get behind the wheel of a pre-production prototype Kodiaq and we were left impressed. Praise is due for both the driving experience and the new infotainment system, while the engines are mostly strong, refined performers.
Not surprisingly, the Kodiaq isn't the best car to drive in the world, with much more focus on comfort than agility. In this respect, it's similar to a taller Skoda Superb and, with the optional adaptive suspension, the ride was impressively smooth, rounding off the worst of any harsh surfaces.
We tried both the 148 and 187bhp diesels (the latter came with a twin-clutch automatic gearbox) and while the less powerful 2.0-litre diesel will be the big seller, the extra oomph of the more powerful engine was useful. Both are smooth and refined, as we've come to expect from VW Group diesels.
Exact prices for the Skoda Kodiaq SUV will be revealed in due course – we expect a starting figure of about £23,000 to undercut the Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe and Land Rover Discovery Sport. despite this bargain entry-level trim, rumour has it that top-of-the-range Laurin & Klement trim models (with the appropriate engine, gearbox and drive combination) will top £40,000, making it the most expensive Skoda ever. The new car was unveiled in Berlin on 1 September and will go on sale later this year, with first deliveries beginning in January 2017.
No comments:
Post a Comment