PARIS MOTOR SHOW: Skoda Kodiaq RS officially revealed

UPDATE 02/10/2018, 10:50am: After being leaked by a Russian website, Czech car-maker Skoda has now officially revealed details and images of its flagship SUV, the Skoda Kodiaq RS.

As previously reported the seven-seat SUV will be powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel mill worth 176kW/500Nm, pumping through a seven-speed automatic DSG, enabling the AWD machine to hit 100km/h in 7.0 seconds flat.

The most powerful diesel engine offered in a Skoda has a dynamic sound boost system which can be tuned to provide a sporty albeit synthesised exhaust note.

The go-fast SUV has a 220km/h top speed but will retain a pragmatic attitude with five or seven seats on offer, plus a big 600 litre boot.

Fuel consumption is claimed just 6.0L/100km (CO2 emissions are 157g/km) and if (or rather when) the car is confirmed for Australia, standard features will be generous with a virtual cockpit digital display, progressive power steering system, high-end infotainment and audio systems, flat bottom steering wheel, leather and Alcantara upholstery, sports seats and adaptive shock absorbers to change ride comfort from soft to sporty.

There's wireless phone charging, plus USB ports front and rear, and even rear heated seats. The Skoda Kodiaq RS will be the most highly-equipped SUV from the Czech Republic thus far.

As previously reported, Skoda Australia is chomping at the bit to bring the new halo model Down Under. However the car brand's general manager of corporate communications Paul Pottinger said the ‘hot-climate’ designation of our market may rule it out for release here, or potentially see its power output reduced.

"As a business we’re making representations to get the hot-climate designation changed. It’s something we’re talking the factory [in Germany] about," he said.

It wouldn’t be a proper motor show without at least a couple of leaks and the 2018 Paris motor show's first casualty is the Skoda Kodiaq RS.

Leaked by AutoReview.ru, the images paint a slightly less exciting picture than what was teased in recent sketches by Skoda artists, although the high-performance large SUV does score big wheels, big brakes with red callipers and a subtle sports body kit.

Powered by a potent 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine worth 177kW and 500Nm, the new model will likely be Skoda's most expensive model and the Australian importer is hoping to bring the model Down Under in 2019.

Making its official debut tomorrow night (October 2) at the 2018 Paris motor show, the Skoda Kodiaq RS already has a strong performance pedigree as the seven-seat vehicle lap record holder around the Nurburgring (9:29.84).

Full details will be revealed soon but the all-wheel drive diesel SUV is expected to accelerate to 100km/h in about 6.5 seconds with a top speed close to 230km/h.

As the official interior images show, the Skoda Kodiaq RS features lots of sporty appointments, such as diamond-quilting on the sports seats, plus acres of suede and leather with overt red stitching.

The Kodiaq RS also features a sports setting for the digital instrument cluster (above).

Riding on big 20-inch alloy wheels and featuring a four-mode chassis control system with adaptive dampers, the new Skoda Kodiaq RS will be the European brand's new flagship model.

Stay tuned for more details via Paris.