Skoda Kodiaq pushed forward

Skoda’s first seven-seat SUV, the Kodiaq, has been fast-tracked to Australia.

Local stakeholders have confirmed the breakthrough model will now land in showrooms from June -- six weeks earlier than expected -- starting from under $45,000 plus on-road costs.

Speaking with Australian media at the launch of the Superb Sportline this week, Skoda Australia boss Michael Irmer said the local division had secured additional launch vehicles from the European factory – enough to bring the arrival of the Kodiaq forward by six weeks.

"This is the first project that we have been seen as a focus market on a global scale," Irmer said.

Skoda Australia is already targeting the Mazda CX-9, Hyundai Sante Fe, Kia Sorento and Toyota Kluger with the Kodiaq. While the seven-seater is a mis-match for some of those on physical size, insiders are quietly confident its clever packaging will win plenty of votes.

Equally key to the local arm’s heady sales ambitions is a starting price “in the mid-$40,000” bracket, Irmer confirmed. The managing director also re-iterated that base model cars would feature all-wheel drive capability, seven seats and an automatic transmission as standard.

For now, the entire Kodiaq line-up will be powered by either 132kW petrol four-cylinder or 140kW diesel four-cylinder engines.

They will eventually be joined by other engine variants, including the strong likelihood of a diesel-powered RS variant, motoring.com.au understands.

Stakeholders aren’t ruling out an entry-level, two-wheel drive variant at this stage, either. But Irmer indicated it would be some time away, if at all.

“We know how many cars we will get this year,” he said. “Supply will better next year, and it makes good sense to go in with the top notch. Then you can reach out later in the life-cycle when the capacity frees up.”