Skoda Kodiaq RS is go

Skoda has confirmed it will launch an RS version of its larger Kodiaq SUV.

Speaking to Brit mag, Evo, Skoda's R&D chief Christian Strube admitted the Czech car-maker was putting the finishing touches to a high-performance variant of its newly launched SUV.

According to the R&D boss, the Kodiaq RS will come powered by the twin-turbo 2.0-litre turbo-diesel that's already available in the Volkswagen Passat and Tiguan in European markets.

That means that under the Kodiaq's bonnet, the powerful diesel will generate around 177kW/500Nm.

Against the clock, the fast SUV is set to hit 100km/h in less than 6.5 seconds and top out at around 240km/h.

To cope with the extra power, the Kodiaq RS will come with sports suspension and uprated brakes, plus the usual sporty body kit.

Unfortunately, according to Strube, tighter EU CO2 regulations are making it harder and harder to justify sporty variants of Skodas and a business case no longer exists for a high-performance version of the smaller Fabia hatch.

The R&D chief also revealed plans to launch a larger Superb RS are currently on hold.

In the future, to justify high-performance models the Czech car-maker will have to rely on new tech like plug-in hybrids, which deliver power and torque without the same emissions penalty.

Skoda's first plug-in hybrid vehicle, likely to be based on the current Superb sedan and wagon, is set to arrive in 2019.