The new Skoda Kodiaq is the Czech manufacturer’s first full-size seven-seater SUV.
The Skoda Kodiaq is a muscular SUV that promises value for money and the Czech company’s renowned in-car space along with fresh and aggressive styling. Expected to be launched and delivered in the European nations by March 2017, the Skoda Kodiaq will make an appearance in India by late 2017. We expect it to be priced very competitively in the market.
Skoda’s latest design language, which is featured on the new Skoda Superb is crisp and intelligent and this is carried forward to the Kodiaq. The Skoda Design team have gone all out on this new SUV. The Design team head Josef Kabaň was also responsible for the Bugatti Veyron.
Borrowing the three-dimensional radiator grille from the new Superb, the Kodiaq looks aggressive and purposeful. The tightly packed headlamp housing is loaded with the latest LED technology. A large central air dam and highly flared arches give the car a beefy stance. Straight lines flow across the car meeting a set of “C-shaped” tail lamps that look menacing.
Most of the design elements are reminiscent of the 2016 Vision S concept. Skoda has definitely been hitting the mark these days on the design front. Fresh, modern and sophisticated, the new Kodiaq should be really appealing in the flesh.
Powering the Kodiaq is a range of TDI and TSI motors from the VW stable. Internationally, the Kodiaq will be available with three petrol motors – including the 1.4-litre TSI and 2.0-litre TSI; and two diesel motors -including a 2.0-litre TDI.
In India, we would be receiving the standard 2.0 TDI diesel motor mated to a 6-speed DSG box. It is possible that the 2.0-litre TSI petrol motor may join the Indian fleet later. Power figures are unknown at this point but expect a healthy 140 HP at the very least for the 2.0 diesel engine. The Kodiaq is also surprisingly light, weighing just 1540 kg, which means that the new Skoda SUV will be brisk as well as fuel-efficient. Thanks to the use of the light and rigid MQB platform.
The Skoda Kodiaq gets the Swing infotainment system as standard. The system gets a 6.5-inch screen, Bluetooth connectivity, and Skoda SmartLink with support for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink.
We expect the Skoda Kodiaq to be priced around Rs. 27-29 lakhs (ex-showroom) when it arrives in India next year. This Czech “bear” will be a definite threat to the current crop of SUVs on the market, such as the Ford Endeavour and Toyota Fortuner. With its value-for-money price tag and the gorgeous looks, the new Kodiaq is definitely going to make things interesting in our SUV-loving country.
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