Skoda has officially teased its upcoming VisionS-based seven-seat SUV prior to its debut later this year at the Paris motor show, along with revealing the model’s official name. The carmaker has badged the SUV as the Kodiaq – which has long been doing the rounds of the internet as the SUV’s unofficial name.

Reportedly named after the Kodiak bear, the production Kodiaq SUV will be underpinned by the VW Group’s MQB-A+ platform which also underpins the India-bound VW Tiguan. The large SUV will measure  4,700mm in length with a wheelbase of 2,760mm.

Exterior styling is expected to remain similar to the VisionS concept with much of the key design elements, including the prominent front grille and lighting arrangement likely to reach production relatively unchanged.

 The interior on the other hand, is expected to get a major change with the all-digital layout of the concept making way for a more traditional dashboard. Skoda designers have confirmed that the SUV could get a 12-inch display in place of the traditional instrument cluster with a smaller vertically placed 8.0-inch display on the centre console. The SUV will also be available in a choice of five or seven-seat layouts. Also, like other Skodas, the interiors will be feature rich.

The Kodiaq is expected to be powered by a selection of four-cylinder diesel and petrol motors paired to a choice of manual or automatic gearboxes in the international markets. The SUV will also get the option of all-wheel drive on select variants.

The SUV is expected to arrive on Indian shores in 2017 following the model’s international launch early next year. It is expected to be powered by a pair of the new EA288 190hp, 2.0-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine and the EA-888 1.8-litre, four-cylinder turbo-petrol motor paired to the company’s existing six and seven-speed DSG automatic gearboxes, respectively. Skoda is expected to price the new large SUV alongside the new Superb, which could point to a price-tag of between Rs 22 lakh to Rs 30 lakh.

Apart from the new Kodiaq, Skoda will also bring the next-gen Yeti SUV to India in the future. Though yet to be unveiled, the new Yeti is expected to be larger and more spacious than before with a length and wheelbase to be around 4,360mm and 2,600mm respectively, and feature a more traditional design. Unlike many Skodas which are closely related to VW models, the new Yeti will be closely related to fellow VW Group company Seat’s new Ateca SUV.