GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Skoda reveals near production-ready VisionS
Czech car-maker previews seven-seat Kodiaq that’s likely to undercut Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa FeSkoda has revealed a concept that it says previews its first ever large SUV.
Called the VisionS, the Czech car-maker’s seven-seat off-roader is claimed to preview the forthcoming Kodiaq SUV. Aside from some minor exterior and interior changes, the VisionS is believed to be an accurate rendition of the actual big SUV that Skoda is honing for production, ahead of its launch in the second half of this year.
Said to be inspired by famous Czech Bohemian crystal glass art, the VisionS possesses precise, sharp lines with pronounced creases. The SUV concept is also painted in a new colour called Iceland Green.
Drawing its styling cues from the 2014 VisionC concept, the VisionS’ roofline dips towards the back of the car, while a rear spoiler, twin exhaust outlets and large alloy wheels complete the ’lifestyle’ look. At the front are the firm’s trapezoid grille and four high-set headlights that debut new LED technology that is set to carry over to the production vehicle.
Inside, the passenger compartment is dominated by two enormous 16-inch landscape screens in front of both the driver and passenger, and flanked by large air vents.
Similar shrunken screens are also mounted ahead of the second and third-row passengers to entertain them.
Finally, an eighth screen lurks below the dash to control climate, audio and minor car functions.
Every passenger will also be treated to their new wireless charging phonebox technology that is also thought to be available on the production car.
Space is said to be plentiful and measures in at a substantial 4700mm long, 1910mm wide and 1680mm high, The VisionS boasts three rows of seats and offers space for six, although the production car will be a seven-seater, making it a rival for three-row SUVs like the Land Rover Discovery Sport and bigger more expensive cars like the Volvo XC90.
Powering the concept is a new hybrid powertrain that combines a 114kW/250Nm 1.4-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder with a 40kW/220Nm electric motor (that lives within the six-speed DSG transmission housing) and a more powerful 85kW electric motor that drives the rear axle.
Together, the three drivetrain units produce 166kW of power — enough to ensure the VisionS hits 100km/h in less than 7.4 seconds and tops out at 200km/h.
Skoda hasn’t revealed fuel consumption for the VisionS, the production version of which is expected to be called the Kodiaq, but says it can average just 1.9L/100km while emitting just 45g/km of CO2 and can travel 50km on pure-electric power alone. Altogether the system promises a 1000km range.
The ‘smart’ four-wheel drive system (there’s no mechanical connection between front and rear axles) leaves the rear motor free to aid traction in slippery circumstances.
Based on the VW Group’s MQB platform, the production Skoda SUV will be co-developed alongside the equally large Volkswagen CrossBlue. That’s why both cars will share a range of four-cylinder turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, with both a production version of the plug-in petrol-hybrid and potentially even a diesel-electric plug-in hybrid joining the range later on.
Most of the range will be front-wheel drive with all-wheel drive only offered on the hybrids and range-topping models.
Interestingly, when the big Skoda SUV goes on sale in the first half of 2017, it’s rumoured the Kodiaq will — at least in Europe — undercut both the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe rivals with the seven-seat SUV expected to cost less than $40,000.
Speaking after the unveiling of the VisionS concept, Skoda boss Bernhard Maier said: “Our brand continues to develop at a rapid pace.
“With the Yeti, Skoda has already made a big statement in the compact SUV segment. Our extensive 4×4 expertise is now feeding into an SUV production model above the Yeti.
"In terms of design, overall package and everyday practicality, the ŠKODA VisionS already provides an insight into our new SUV."
As well as the new Kodiaq, in 2017 the Czech car-maker is also rumoured to introduce another mid-size SUV that will sit between the Yeti and the big Kodiaq.
The small Yeti itself, meanwhile, is scheduled to be replaced some time in 2018.
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