Skoda Kamiq crossover will debut in China at the Beijing Auto Show before going on sale in June; draws design inspiration from Karoq
Skoda has been investing heavily on developing new crossovers and SUVs across different price brackets in the last few years. It has identified the global craze for such body-styled products to play a key role in sustainable sales future and it is something you can seldom argue against.
The Czech Republican brand’s recent vehicles like the Kodiaq and Karoq have been well received around the world. The former entered Indian market at the beginning of October 2017 whilst the latter is expected to grace showrooms during the closing quarter of this year or perhaps in early 2019.
Also Read: Skoda Kodiaq Beats Octavia And Superb; Becomes 2nd Bestselling Car In November
Global auto giants often come up with extended wheelbase versions of regular models and some even introduce country-specific vehicles in China. It is a latest trend paying dividends and Skoda, with its latest experience with the Kodiaq and Karoq, has scheduled a small crossover for debut at the 2018 Beijing Auto Show this week and following its official teaser sketches are the two pictures of the actual finished product.
Reports suggest that it measures 4,390 mm in length, 1,781 mm in width, 1,593 mm in height and has a wheelbase of 2,610 mm. It is based on the PQ platform developed in China instead of the more expensive global MQB architecture.
Also Read: India-Bound Skoda Karoq Achieves 5 Stars In Euro NCAP Crash Tests
Slotted below the Karoq sold in China, which has bigger dimensions than the one available in Europe, the Kamiq looks visually identical to its sibling expect for the modifications to the headlamps and tail lamps. Other changes on the exterior are new tailgate, tweaked bumpers up front and rear.
It is internally codenamed Model Q and will be assembled in China by Shanghai Volkswagen joint venture. The Kamiq will go on sale locally in June with prices starting from 90,000 Yuan (Rs. 9.26 lakh) approximately.
It is expected to come equipped with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine which is good enough to develop 110 horsepower. It could share interior and features list with the Karoq. The standard transmission will be a six-speed manual and seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic unit could be made available as an option.
China accounts for major sales of Skoda vehicles as it is the brand’s largest market in the world. It knows the market all too well having been there for over ten years now. Since entering in 2007, a total of over 2.35 million vehicles were sold there and 3,25,000 vehicles were retailed just last year.
The China-specific Kamiq is part of the strategy to nearly double its sales volume to 6,00,000 units annually by the end of this decade. Skoda has planned more SUVs for China in the near future as well.
Skoda Kamiq SUV Images
