Production-Ready Skoda Kodiaq SUV Spotted Testing for the First Time

Skoda Kodiaq SUV spotted in production guise for the first time; clearly showcases the design language adapted from the Vision S concept

Production-Ready Skoda Kodiaq Spotted Testing for the First Time

The Czech automaker officially announced the name of its upcoming SUV derived from the Kodiak bear that lives on an island near Alaska. Endorsed to be ‘as strong as a bear’, the new utility vehicle personifies strength and protection while sharing common characteristics with the bear like the family spirit and huge size.

Heading the brand’s global SUV campaign, the Kodiaq will make public at the 2016 Paris Motor Show scheduled for October and is based on the Volkswagen Group’s flexible MQB platform that underpins the second generation Volkswagen Tiguan.

Production-Ready Skoda Kodiaq Spotted Testing for the First Time 1

It is expected to share the same extended wheelbase as the VW Tiguan XL and will be slotted above the Skoda Yeti. The flagship SUV in the marque’s product range will resemble close to the Skoda Vision S Concept appeared in the 2016 Geneva Motor Show as confirmed by the spied pictures.

Production-Ready Skoda Kodiaq Spotted Testing for the First Time 2

The production model is more likely to have similar proportions as the Vision S study. It measures 4.70 metres in length, 1.91 metres in width, 1.68 metres in height and had a wheelbase of 2.79 metres with ample amount of cabin space.

Production-Ready Skoda Kodiaq Spotted Testing for the First Time 4

In Europe, it is likely to rival the Renault Koleos, Hyundai Santa Fe and Peugeot 5008 and form a lineup of three petrol engines: a 1.4-litre TSI developing 125 PS and 150 PS and a 1.8-litre TSI motor producing 180 PS. The base 1.6-litre TDI diesel making 120 PS and the 2.0-litre TDI with 150 PS or 190 PS could be made available as well while a plug-in hybrid is said to join later.

Production-Ready Skoda Kodiaq Spotted Testing for the First Time 4

Skoda Kodiaq is predicted to reach Indian shores in the closing stages of 2017. The engines are more likely to be sourced from the new Skoda Superb premium sedan launched in India earlier this year. The 1.8-litre TSI 16V DOHC four-pod petrol and 2.0-litre TDI CR 16V DOHC four-cylinder turbo diesel powertrains could be found under the bonnet as reported.

The petrol engine comes linked with a fully-synchronized six-speed manual or a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox. The diesel motor transfers power to all the four wheels through a six-speed DSG automatic with Tiptronic manual gear changing in the Skoda Superb.

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SOURCECarscoops