Skoda has launched its new seven-seat SUV, the Kodiaq, in India, priced at Rs 34.49 lakh (ex-showroom, all India) The SUV is only available in one trim, Style, with a single engine and transmission option.
The Kodiaq, named for the Alaskan bear, is powered by a 1968cc four-cylinder, turbo-diesel motor that develops 150hp and 340Nm of peak torque. Drive is sent to all-four-wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The Kodiaq is based on VW’s MQB platform that also underpins the Superb and Octavia and has a length of 4,697mm, width of 1,882mm, height of 1665mm, and a wheelbase of 2,791mm. The SUV’s 188mm ground clearance means it won’t do too much of the rough stuff. Skoda’s Kodiaq has a 270-litre boot that expands to 630 litres with the third row of seats folded, and further expands to 2,005 litres with the 40:20:40 split second row of seats folded.
In terms of equipment, the Kodiaq gets an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 12-speaker Canton stereo, 10-colour ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, electrically-adjustable front seats, adjustable second row of seats, auto headlamps and wipers, powered tail-gate, hands-free parking assist, drowsiness sensor, magnetised flashlight and plastic ‘bumpers’ that pop out and protect the door edges when the doors are open.
The launch of the Kodiaq SUV is a part of Skoda’s plan to launch a number of models before the end of 2017 including the Octavia RS and the Rapid Monte Carlo.
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
Lenny D'sa
Dipan Sur
Glenn Noronha
