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The Skoda Karoq and Kodiaq are marching into the 2020 model year fresh faced and armed with more toys for comfort and safety.

Side Assist is a new addition for the two SUVs. It’s a safety system that replaces Blind Spot Detection and the latest version has a range increased from 20 to 70-metres. The system warns the driver of vehicles up to 70-metres away that are in their blind spot via the new, more noticeable warning signals in the side mirrors.

An adaptive chassis is now available, too, with Comfort, Normal and Sport settings to choose from.

Another new addition for the Kodiaq and Karoq is the Kessy key. It features a motion sensor, meaning the risk of the can being stolen or broken into is reduced. The optional extra switches off after 15-minutes with no movement, but as soon as the key moves the transmitter function is re-activated.

Now for the individual updates. The Karoq gets a new 2.0-TDI, well, new-to-Karoq, anyway. It’s the 190bhp Euro 6d-Temp compliant unit, and features an SCR catalytic converter with AdBlue injection and a diesel particulate filter. The engine is available in conjunction with all-wheel drive and the seven-speed DSG auto ‘box as standard.

The Kodiaq has a new set of 20″ alloys. Called Ignite, they are now wider at 255mm and are available on the Kodiaq Sportline as well as the Kodiaq RS and the L&K version. There’s also a new tyre pressure monitoring system for individual wheels of 18″ or more. Clever temperature-regulating leather seat covers are now available on the hardy Kodiaq Scout.

Skoda are also in the process of spreading the SKODA lettering on the tailgate across their range, including the Karoq and Kodiaq.

In rather surprising news, Skoda have revealed a pick-up truck.

The Mountiaq concept is a Kodiaq-based pick-up that is the culmination of this year’s work from the class of the Skoda Vocational School in Boleslav.

A team of 35 Skoda apprentices envisaged the truck, from the light bar on the roof, down to the winch and even the specific Sunset Orange paintwork.

It has taken the team of apprentices in excess of 2,000 hours over the last eight months to build the Mountiaq, with production starting in January. After the sketching phase was completed, the body was reinforced before the roof of the Kodiaq was removed and the tough work began. A new rear panel was then fashioned, along with new windows for the double-cab body type.

Another key component of such a shape is the truck-bed, which had to be designed and fabricated and took the overall length of the truck to a whisker under five metres. The bed includes a hidden storage compartment beneath the surface, and the longer and wider stance means that the doors were redesigned to fit, whilst both front and rear bumpers were modified – clearly, as the Kodiaq doesn’t come with a winch…

Ground clearance has been improved, tallying 29cm to the Kodiaq Scout’s 19, with the upsized 17″ Rockstar alloys and more aggressive tyres playing a part. The overall wheelbase is now 2.79-metres, whilst vehicle width is a touch over two metres and it stands at 1.71-metres tall.  A 190bhp 2.0-litre TSI petrol powers the Mountiaq, which also has a snorkel, bullbar and specifically designed winch mount.

Inside, the Mountiaq features plenty of cool features. There’s a glowing Skoda logo in the headlining, a fridge, uniquely embroidered seats and a set of walkie talkies. interior highlights also match the exterior Sunset Orange.

Being students, they’ve also whacked a bigger sound system in there, adding 4,000 watts split evenly between an amplifier and subwoofer, whilst numerous facets of the car are suavely underlit to give it a real edge. The Skoda badge, engine bay, bed sills and radiator grille are all lit, whilst there’s Skoda branded puddle lights, too.

One thing is for sure: we wouldn’t mind a jot if this entered production…

A new, more powerful petrol engine has been added to the line-ups of Skoda’s current SUV contingent.

The 2.0-litre TSI unit produces 190bhp and has an output of 236lbf.ft between 1,400 and 4,100rpm. In all of its applications, it will work in conjunction with a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission with four-wheel drive.

In the Karoq range it is available in SportLine models, and will help the smaller SUV sprint to 62mph in seven seconds flat, whilst also achieving 33.1mpg. Prices start from £31,820 on the road.

There are more avenues for the powertrain with the Kodiaq nameplate as it’s offered with SE L, Scout, SportLine, Edition and L&K specifications. In the bigger car it takes 7.7 seconds and, in SE L form attains 30.1mpg.  In the Kodiaq range pricing starts at £34,120 for the SE L version and rises to £38,770 for the range-topping, seven-seat L&K version.

The new TSI unit is available to order with both models now.

Skoda have confirmed that their small SUV, that will sit below the Karoq, will be called the Kamiq.

The Kamiq will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and takes its name from a model already used by Skoda in China. The word Kamiq is derived from Inuit used in Canada and Greenland, and refers to something that fits as well as a second skin. But more importantly, it begins with a K and ends in a Q, so it fits the Czech brand’s SUV naming convention.

In one package, the Kamiq will aim to be both a lifestyle SUV as well as a handy city car. It will feature safety and assistance systems afforded by the Skoda platform and will have classic Simply Clever features like the rest of its family.

More details will be revealed after it debuts in Geneva in March.

Skoda have revealed the first performance SUV in the company’s history, with the 238bhp Kodiak vRS being launched after a prototype set the lap record at the Nürburgring for a seven-seater.

The turbo diesel engine is the most powerful diesel unit the Czech brand have ever produced, and combined with four-wheel drive – which is standard on all Kodiak vRS models – a pre-production model completed the menacing lap in 9 minutes and 29 (point 84) seconds.

Dynamic Sound boost in the family rocket ship enhances the audible qualities of the diesel power plant. The 20″ alloys are also standard for the first time on a Skoda, and out of the box the Kodiak vRS also has full-LED headlights and tail lights, whilst exterior design cues are finished in gloss black.

Combining practicality with speed, the speedy SUV offers space for up to three rows of passengers, depending on the format selected.

More details of the Kodiak vRS will be released closer to launch, with pricing starting at £41,375.

Skoda will debut an exciting new SUV at the 2018 Paris Motor Show. We don’t know too much about the Kodiak RS, but what we do know is exciting.

The 237bhp diesel unit in the top-spec sporty SUV will be the most powerful diesel engine ever utilised by a Skoda, and there will be adaptive suspension and all-wheel drive. The RS’s dash will feature Skoda’s latest virtual cockpit with a fifth Sport setting, plus a dynamic sound boost that monitors and controls the engine sound depending on the selected driving mode.

We can’t see much else from the video, other than the Racing Blue – a colour Skoda hasn’t put on an SUV before – which will be exclusive for the Kodiak RS.

For more than that, we’ll simply have to wait and see…

 

 

Fresh from telling you about the Skoda Karoq Scout that will make its debut at the Paris Motor Show, there’s now going to be a Sportline sibling appearing alongside it, too.

Available with only the most powerful 188bhp, 2.0-litre TSI unit, and is available with front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual, or al-wheel drive and an automatic seven-speed.

Sportier bumpers differentiate the Karoq Sportline from its peers, along with the logo’d front mudflaps and the 19″ black alloys with silver accents.

The black sports seats feature silver detailing and are upholstered with three-ply air-permeable Thermoflux fabric. This adds comfort and breathability, especially in the summer. The multi function sports steering wheel is covered in perforated black leather with silver stitching. Aluminium inserts feature in the pedals and the black roof, pillars and headliner plus ambient LED lighting tie up the sporty interior.

When equipped with Skoda’s virtual cockpit, the Karoq Sportline features a new fifth display. Featuring a central rev counter with a digital speedometer, the sporty display adds a new dimension to the SUV. A wifi hotspot can also be chosen, meaning you won’t have to drive and simultaneously have a conversation ever again.

Along with its ruggedised Scout counterpart, the Karoq Sportline will debut at the Paris Motor Show in October.

Skoda have bolstered the stable of the Karoq by adding it to their Scout family.

In readying the SUV for the tougher stuff, 4WD is standard, along with the black wheel arches and heftier skid plates. Also standard are 19-inch alloys, which whilst they’re not ideal for a rocky route, they do look rather dashing.

The 1.5 TSi petrol unit joins the duo of 2.0-litre TDis with 148bhp and a six-speed manual or 187bhp and a seven-speed automatic.

Newly designed seats include black and brown contrasting seams and embroidered Scout lettering, the multifunction steering wheel is leather and there is also an LED package to add ambience to the cabin.

Skoda’s customisable virtual cockpit is included, as is an off-road driving mode. Little features of the SUV, such as the virtual pedal mechanism to open the boot, or the tip-to-close function to shut it again – pull gently on the boot lid and the Karoq will take the hint and close it for you.

The Paris Motor Show has been set as the destination for the Karoq Scout’s global debut.

Skoda have released details for the new range-topping L&K Kodiaq.

Honouring the Czech marque’s founders, the top-spec SUV comes with choice of a 2.0-litre 197bhp petrol or one of three versions 2.0-litre diesels – a 148bhp version with either a six-speed manual or a DSG a 197bhp unit.

All L&K Kodiaqs are four-wheel drive and wear a chrome grille and 19-inch anthracite alloys. The exterior designs tweaks consist of front and rear bumpers that are unique to L&K models and signature logos on the front wings.

A panoramic sunroof keeps the interior light and the seats and armrest are clothed in leather. The interior also features piano black trimming, ambient lighting and aluminium pedals.

Skoda’s top safety tech is of course fitted to the L&K, with area view, progressive steering and curtain airbags. The top-spec Columbus infotainment system is included, as is a Canton sound system and heated windscreen.

Pricing begins at £35,945 for the 148bhp manual. The petrol comes in at £37,020 whilst the smaller diesel is £37,245 and the 197bhp diesel costs £38,105.

Earlier in the week we brought you news that Skoda’s vRS-ified Kodiak had set a record at the Nurburgring.

We didn’t have a time then, but we do now – 9:29.84. It’s the fastest seven-seater around the Nordschleife circuit thanks to the driving expertise of Sabine Schmidt.

Having driven more than 30,000 laps of the infamously gruelling circuit, Sabine was the ideal driver to get the best out of the Kodiak’s new 2.0-litre BiTDI engine and the 236bhp it produces. Torque is easily accessible from the unit – reserved especially for the Kodiak vRS – thanks to Dynamic Sound Boost, and adaptive chassis control and selectable driving modes helped Sabine achieve the record.

The lap was completed with the vRS still wearing its camouflage, with the global debut set for the Paris Motor Show in October.

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