Skoda Kodiaq SUV teased ahead of unveil

Skoda has teased a pair of sketches of its upcoming Kodiaq SUV, which will be unveiled at the 2016 Paris motor show. The SUV will be launched internationally in 2017. The images suggest that the SUV will retain the design of the Vision S, the concept on which it is based.

While the concept’s bulky wheel arches and prominent front grille are likely to be carried over into the production car’s design, the SUV’s nose looks slightly more slanted – perhaps to conform to pedestrian impact safety standards.

Interiors of the SUV will be significantly different from the futuristic design previewed on the Vision S concept. It is however, likely to have seven seats. Earlier this year, the carmaker had confirmed the model’s name, Kodiaq, which is inspired from a species of Alaskan bear.

While the Kodiaq will share its engine range with the new Superb, which was recently launched in India, a plug-in hybrid model will also be launched in around 2019.

Besides the Kodiaq, Skoda is also planning a five-door crossover-SUV after the Kodiaq, as well as a performance version of the SUV which could carry the vRS badge.

Following the Kodiaq, the next-gen Yeti is also expected to arrive in a bigger, more spacious and more SUV-like avatar. “We’ve seen for some time that the SUV segment has experienced the strongest growth in the market,” said chairman Bernhard Maier. “That was the reason for Skoda to decide to invest in this segment. There is already major demand for the Yeti, and we hear from existing customers and from those that want to be customers that they would like to see a Skoda SUV.”