GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Skoda VisionS concept unveiled early

Skoda has unwrapped its large seven-seat VisionS concept, which will go on to inspire the Czech car-maker’s first ever large SUV.

Following numerous teases and a series of design sketches, late last night Skoda gave us our first real glimpse of the actual concept that will make its world public debut at the Geneva motor show on March 1.

Measuring in at 4700mm long, 1910mm wide and 1680mm high, the VisionS boasts three rows of seats and offers space for six, although the production car will offer space for seven, making it a rival for three-row SUVs like the Land Rover Discovery Sport.

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, all three combined 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 emits just 45g/km of CO2 and can travel 50km on pure-electric power alone. Altogether the system can provide for a 1000km range.

Said to offer ‘smart’ four-wheel drive (there’s no mechanical connection between front and rear axles) the rear motor has been designed to add traction in slippery circumstances.

Drawing its styling cues from the 2014 VisionC concept, the new VisionS sports a wide Skoda grille and four swept-back LED headlights, plus a large full-length lower air intake that dominates the lower bumper and leads to what appears to be another pair of intakes.

Adding a sporty flourish, the VisionS’ roofline also dips towards the back of the car, while a rear spoiler, twin exhaust outlets and large alloy wheels complete the ’lifestyle’ look.

Inside, there’s said to be large digital tablet displays to allow VisionS passengers to access the internet and infotainment system on the move.

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 likely to cost less than $40,000.