2021 Skoda Kodiaq facelift previewed

Another teaser of the 2021 Skoda Kodiaq has been posted ahead of the upgraded large SUV's official unveiling on April 13.

Set to be the biggest update of Skoda's flagship SUV since its introduction back in 2016, the facelift will give the Kodiaq a fresh new look, extra technology and fresh powertrains including one for a sporty new RS version.

Judging by this latest teaser and earlier design sketches, it looks like the revised Skoda Kodiaq will get a new face that includes a pair of slimmer headlights, a fresh bonnet, new hexagonal grille and a lower, wider-looking front bumper.

At the rear, the LED tail-lights also look like they've been slimmed down, above a redesigned rear bumper.

The big Skoda's cabin, meantime, is set to follow the smaller Kamiq and new-generation Octavia in adopting a more advanced central 10-inch touch-screen that will introduce natural-speak voice and gesture control, a touch slider and new app-based features.

Other new Octavia features likely to be adopted by Skoda's biggest SUV include the latest version of the Volkswagen Group’s Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android auto, LED Matrix headlights, LED fog and tail-lights, traffic jam assist, emergency assist and up to 10 airbags.

Under the bonnet, while the entry-level 132TSI petrol variant currently priced from $46,390 plus ORCs is expected to live on, the flagship Skoda Kodiaq RS (priced from $68,890) will drop its punchy 176kW/500Nm four-cylinder 176TDI turbo-diesel as it struggles to meet latest Euro emissions.

In its place, the 2021 Skoda Kodiaq RS is expected to employ the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol unit from the upcoming Volkswagen Golf GTI, which in Australia would up power to 180kW (+4kW) but reduce torque by a significant 130Nm (to 370Nm).

There's no word on how the drop in torque will affect the claimed 0-100km/h time but, thanks to a revised seven-speed dual-clutch DSG auto, the new all-wheel drive petrol RS is expected to come close to matching the diesel's 7.0-second 0-100km/h sprint.

Originally, it was thought the Czech car-maker might use the Kodiaq's 2021 facelift to introduce a new iV plug-in hybrid powertrain, but it's been reported that the electrified 180kW powertrain from the Octavia and Superb will not be available in the Kodiaq after all.

All will be revealed on April 13.