PARIS MOTOR SHOW: Skoda Kodiaq SUV revealed

Skoda's all-new Toyota Kluger rival has been unveiled at a VIP event in Berlin, Germany.

The images of the new Kodiaq that were released earlier this morning are our first complete look at the firm’s forthcoming seven-seat SUV.

Heavily inspired by the VisionS concept that was shown at this year's Geneva motor show, the new Kodiaq shares the show car's sharply creased lines, vertical bar front grille and distinctive square-ish wheel arches.

The Kodiaq’s unveiling, follows a long drawn-out teaser campaign that included a camouflaged version of the Czech SUV used as a support vehicle on the Tour de France as well as releasing tightly cropped images to build anticipation and, just yesterday, official images of the production car's interior.

Measuring in at 4.70 metres long and 1.88 metres wide, the Kodiaq is claimed to be class-leading in terms of interior space — boot and third-row seat. The company says that in five-seat form its first large SUV will swallow 720 litres of cargo behind the rear seats, and a sizeable 2065 litres with them folded.

The latter figure is likely to be same for the seven-seat version. The pictures show a sizeable pair of third-row seats complete with quick-release levers to stow the rear seatbacks flat into the load floor, as well as a boot-mounted 12-volt power outlet.

Skoda yesterday announced that its flagship SUV will come with features borrowed from some of its premium rivals, including a heated steering wheel and surround-view camera.

Engine options in Europe will include five four-cylinder engines -- two diesel and three petrol -- with the 2.0-litre oil-burners outputting 110kW/340Nm and, for AWD variants, 140kW/400Nm outputs, allowing the top-spec diesel AWD auto to tow up to 2500kg.

Petrol engines will include a pair of 1.4-litre turbo engines, offering 92kW/200Nm and 110kW/250Nm, plus a flagship 2.0-litre with 132kW and 320Nm.

While the entry-level petrol engine is produced only with a manual gearbox and front-wheel drive, making it unlikely for Australia, the base diesel is built with a six-speed manual (AWD) and seven-speed dual-clutch DSG auto (FWD and AWD), while the 110kW petrol four can be had with a six-speed DSG and AWD.

Both high-output petrol and diesel engines come with a 7DSG auto and AWD as standard.

A plug-in hybrid version is expected to follow, but remains unlikely for Australia.

Like sister brand Volkswagen’s new Tiguan SUV family, all models will be based on the German giant’s modular transverse MQB platform.

Stay tuned for more updates on the Kodaiq, which has already been confirmed for an Australian release around mid-2017.

The Skoda SUV will make its official public debut on September 29 at the Paris motor show.

Following the Kodiaq, in 2018, will be a larger all-new Yeti that will be joined in rapid succession by two further SUVs, one of which is likely to be a smaller rival to Mazda’s CX-3, while the other is thought to be a sporty coupe version of the Kodiaq to rival the BMW X4.