Skoda Kamiq name chosen for new small SUV
Czech firm keeps to SUV naming convention with new Skoda Kamiq, baby SUV set for Geneva debutSkoda has announced it will name its new baby SUV the Skoda Kamiq, following the new naming convention introduced by the Kodiaq and Karoq.
As predicted the new small SUV that's been developed to battle cars like the Mazda CX-3 hasn't kept the Vision X name of the concept but confusingly, the Skoda Kamiq name is already in use for another different small Skoda SUV in the Chinese market.
Already teased by a shadowy image, the Skoda Kamiq is set to keep its show car styling with the front end, at least, sticking with the Vision X split LED front lighting system and chrome toothy grille.
On sale in Europe shortly after its Geneva unveiling, the Kamiq should arrive in Australia by Q3 of 2019, priced below $25,000.
When it arrives, the baby Czech SUV has all the makings of the car-maker's best-selling model.
Based on the same MQB platform as the Volkswagen Polo (and VW’s similar T-Roc SUV), the Vision X is almost certain to share the small VW’s petrol-only small turbocharged range of 1.0-litre and 1.4-litre TSI engines.
The Vision X is expected to measure in at 4250mm long, 1500mm high and around 1800mm wide with a wheelbase of around 2645mm.
That means it will be fractionally longer (+16mm) than its T-Roc clone with a more generous wheelbase (+55mm). Those traits will translate into class-leading levels of passenger and luggage space, with an emphasis on interior comfort.
Inside, the Vision X is also set to raise the bar for all future Skoda interiors, featuring a new virtual cockpit dash and a large centrally located infotainment system.
Back in March 2018 when Skoda revealed the Vision X concept at the Geneva motor show, it previewed an advanced compressed natural gas 48-volt mild hybrid powertrain that combined a 96kW/250Nm 1.5-litre turbo petrol with a rear-mounted electric motor (22kW/70Nm).
It’s understood the production version will not offer the advanced ‘G-TEC’ engine because of a lack of compressed gas infrastructure in markets like Australia, which favours LPG.
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