Skoda Kamiq rally concept teased ahead of unveil

Skoda has previewed a one-off rally version of the Kamiq SUV, which will be the eighth concept car built by students at the firm's vocational school in Mladá Boleslav. The concept is based on the Kamiq SUV which shares its underpinnings with the Volkswagen T-Cross SUV sold overseas.

• Special Dakar-style Rally concept is based on the Kamiq SUV
• Built by a team of 25 students
• WIll not go into series production

Every year, the students of the school are invited to create their dream car from an existing Skoda model, with previous projects including the Scala-based Slavia convertible and the Kodiaq-based Mountiaq pick-up truck.

This year’s car, designed and built by a team of 25 students, will be based on the Kamiq crossover. Sketches show plans to transform it into a Dakar-style off-roader.

As usual, there are no plans for it to go into production. Unlike previous projects, though, it has been produced in conjunction with Skoda Motorsport, the division that runs the Czech brand's World Rally Championship efforts. It's celebrating its 120th anniversary this year by helping to build the concept.

No unveiling date has been announced, although previous student cars have been revealed at the annual Wörthersee motoring festival in Austria, which is due to take place at the end of May. Skoda design chief Oliver Stefani said: "The rally version of the Kamiq posed unique challenges for the apprentices’ creativity. They put a lot of great ideas on paper and into the project.”

The annual student car project began in 2014 with the Citigo-based Citijet roadster. The students themselves are responsible for the design and construction processes of the car, helping train them to become full-time employees.

For India, Skoda is working on a market introduction of the new Slavia sedan that will see a world debut later this year. Additionally, the updated Kodiaq SUV with petrol engine is also expected to go on sale soon.