Skoda Kodiak SUV caught testing in Europe; likely India launch in 2017 and to be based on second-gen VW Tiguan
The Czech auto maker appears to be putting more miles on testing with its seven-seater Kodiak SUV which will be placed higher up the Yeti crossover in its current model line-up. The SUV has been speculated for quite a while and the testing mule suggests the final bits and bobs are being put in place.
The new Skoda SUV will be offered in five-seat configuration in Europe as well and is expected to be based on the extended MQB platform that underpinned various vehicles in the last three years from the company’s parental Volkswagen Group.
The crossover will derive its hardware from the second generation Volkswagen Tiguan and could be featured with a standard two-wheel and an optional four-wheel drive configuration. Reports from Autobild confirms the SUV initially believed to be monikered as Snowman will be named after a sub-species of the brown bear called Kodiak.
Another rumour on the Skoda Kodiak says the SUV will make its world premiere at the 2016 Paris Motor Show scheduled for October. The model should be manufactured at the brand’s Kvasiny production base on its home turf and will approximately be 4.75 meters long for the seven-seater model.
The current engine lineup from the Octavia and Superb sedans including the 2.0-litre TDI and 1.8-litre TSI engines are expected to be retained for the premium SUV – mated with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic DSG gearbox. Skoda might trump in the growing-trend of plug-in hybrid version for the international markets.
The equipment list could be carried over from the new flagship Superb sedan which rides on the flexible MQB platform as well. A whole host of technologies like cylinder deactivation for better fuel efficiency, energy recovery and start/stop systems are also more likely be in the offering.
On the exterior design front, it will adopt the manufacturer’s new matured design language based on the Vision C concept introduced last year. Expect more details on the crossover in the coming months as we suspect it to come as a neatly designed package.
The premium SUV segment in the Indian market has been stepping up quite fast with more interest being showed from customers and in turn manufacturers alike. The seven-seater Skoda kodiak is likely to be available in Europe by mid-2016.
It only makes sense for Skoda to bring in the premium SUV product to India with launch expected sometime in 2017. It will be pitted in the highly competitive segment against the likes of Ford Endeavour, Toyota Fortuner, Hyundai Santa Fe, Chevrolet Trailblazer and the upcoming VW Tiguan.
Source: Carscoops
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