Skoda Karoq SUV teased ahead of unveil

Skoda has released teaser images of its new Karoq SUV ahead of its public debut later this month. It comes with an all-new design, advanced driver assistance technology and four new turbocharged engines.

Ditching the unique exterior shape of its predecessor, the Yeti, for a more conventional SUV body, the Karoq shares many features with the larger Kodiaq, which it sits below in Skoda’s line-up.

The Karoq has space for five passengers and has a boot capacity of 521 litres or 1,630 litres with the back seats folded down. This comfortably beats the car’s main rival, the Nissan Qashqai, which offers 430 and 1,585 litres, respectively. Built on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform, shared with models such as the Audi Q2 and Seat Ateca, the Karoq comes with a choice of five turbocharged engines, four of which are new to Skoda.

The new petrol engines are an entry-level 1.0-litre TSI three-cylinder and a 1.5-litre TSI, with the latter enabling a 0-100kph time of 8.4sec and featuring active cylinder technology. There’s a new diesel 1.6-litre TDI and a new 2.0-litre TDI, enabling a 0-100kph time of 7.8sec – the quickest available. These new Skoda units are joined by a 2.0-litre TDI that’s familiar to the brand. The Karoq will come with two- and four-wheel-drive guises and with a choice of a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox. In higher spec, it comes with Skoda’s Drive Mode Select system, which enables the car’s drivetrain to be switched through Normal, Sport, Eco, Individual and Snow.

Driver assist systems include a radar-based adaptive cruise control, blind spot detect and front assist, which includes automatic city braking with a pedestrian braking system. There’s also hill hold control to prevent roll back and emergency assistance, which can intervene if the driver becomes incapable of driving, and when adaptive cruise control and lane assist are on.

In-car technology includes gesture control for certain functions, wireless phone charging, as well as a mobile online connection that works with the infotainment. In top spec, the infotainment system has a screen of up to 9.2-inch and three other displays, including a new digital instrument cluster that makes its debut in a Skoda.

There is no news on whether the Skoda Karoq will come to India. However, Skoda is readying the India-entry of its new flagship SUV, the Kodiaq.