The upcoming Skoda Kodiaq has been spied testing in the wild for the first time. The design of the upcoming SUV, Skoda’s biggest yet, will be heavily inspired from the edgy Vision S concept from this year’s Geneva Motor Show. That said, it does look a bit odd in the images; more like a station wagon in fact, but that could be because of the smaller footwear that the test mule seems to be running on. Other details like the bodywork, headlamps, tail lamps, and to a certain extent, the bumpers have been heavily camouflaged. However, the new family grille with chunky, twin slats is clearly visible. We also hope that the split headlamps from the Vision S also make it to production.
Based on the Volkswagen Group’s modular MQB platform, the Kodiaq, named after a species of Alaskan bear, will be the upcoming VW Tiguan XL’s direct cousin, and accommodate seven occupants due to a third row of seats. Like the Tiguan XL and the Vision S, the Kodiaq is expected to get a 2.8 meter long wheelbase, along with a length that’ll be presumably close to 4.7 meters. When it goes on sale in Europe later this year, the Skoda Kodiaq is expected to draw power from a range of turbo-diesel and turbo-petrol engines. While the former will include 1.6-liter and 2.0-lite TDI engines with outputs ranging from 118 hp to 187 hp, the latter will see 1.4-liter and 1.8-liter TSI engines with outputs ranging from 123 hp to 177 hp.
A choice of manual or dual clutch automatic transmissions will be available, along with an all-wheel-drive option. A plug-in hybrid model is also planned but won’t join the range at launch. In Europe, the new Skoda Kodiaq will rival the likes of the Renault Koleos, Hyundai Santa Fe and Peugeot 5008. The Kodiaq is expected to make its global debut at the 2016 Paris Motor Show this fall, while an Indian launch is expected sometime in 2017.
Source: Carscoops
