Skoda confirms Kodiaq badge for large SUV

Skoda has finally confirmed what was suspected all along, its seven-seat SUV will be named Kodiaq.

The news was announced in Europe overnight, with the Volkswagen-owned brand declaring that the large SUV will be named after the bear that is native to Kodiak Island, off the southern coast of Alaska.

Skoda has modified the name by replacing the final k with a q, signifying an animal trait in the language of the Alutiiq people native to Kodiak island. The Alutiiq people themselves call the native bear Taq uka 'aq, but to the rest of the world it's known as the Kodiak bear.

Skoda has revealed little about the new SUV, which is scheduled for global launch later this year, other than its length – 4.7 metres – and its seating capacity of seven. It's likely to be a productionised version of the VisionS show car from Geneva earlier this year. When last we spoke with Skoda Australia director Michael Irmer, he did say that the Kodiaq was "very likely" to reach Australia at some point during 2017.

When it goes on sale here, it should be a big seller for the brand in the local market. And, if our information is correct, it will be followed by a 'coupe' (low-roof) version, a new generation of Yeti and a smaller SUV that may or may not make it to Australia.