Skoda Kodiaq Scout on wishlist for Oz
Sportline variant is confirmed, and high-performance RS and off-roading models could be coming tooSkoda Australia has a busy schedule lined up for the Kodiaq SUV over the next 12 months or so.
The 132kW petrol model is set to arrive here in July, with a diesel equivalent, the 140TDI, arriving a few months later. Now, the importer advises, the Kodiaq Sportline is also confirmed for Australia. That vehicle will likely arrive sometime during 2018, with the possibility that the Kodiaq Scout and Kodiaq RS will also join the local range at later dates.
"It's a question of when… probably 2018," said Paul Pottinger, General Manager Corporate Communications at Skoda Australia, confirming the Kodiaq Sportline will go on sale here.
"We don't actually launch the Kodiaq per se until mid-July here. That's the 132kW, with the 140TDI to come as soon as we can get it thereafter. Hopefully this year...
"The thing to remember about Australian-spec Kodiaqs is that they will all be seven-seater and they'll all be all-wheel drive. We won't take anything less than that.
That could rule out the hot-shoe Kodiaq RS if that vehicle, which is to be revealed at Geneva, is a five-seater only.
All three variants, the Kodiaq Sportline, RS and Scout will make their debut in Geneva, from March 7. As the name suggests, the Sportline variant will be a sports-focused model to be offered with a choice of 19- or 20-inch wheels. Features distinguishing the Sportline from Kodiaq 132TSI and 140TDI variants will mainly comprise black accenting for the grille, roof rails, mirror shells and side window trim.
Standard features include Alcantara upholstery, sports seats, position memory and electric adjustment for the driver's seat, upgraded instrumentation – g force and turbo boost readouts – and puddle lights. Additionally, the Kodiaq Sportline will come with electric fold-in mirrors that dip in reverse and LED ambient lighting.
Infotainment and connectivity features available will comprise Columbus navigation system with 9.2-inch monitor, WiFi hotspot and emergency call function.
As the Australian specification for the standard Kodiaq is yet to be announced, how much or how little in the way of driver-assist technology will be offered as standard in the Sportline remains unclear. Such features already confirmed for the Kodiaq Sportline – but not necessarily standard – include Trailer Assist, Blind Spot Detect, Rear Traffic Alert, Crew Protect Assist function, Front Assist, City Emergency Brake, Pedestrian Protection, Park Assist and Area-View. Crew Protect Assist closes vehicle windows and sunroof, while tensioning seatbelts in anticipation of a crash.
In other markets the Kodiaq Sportline will be offered with up to four engines, and in five-seat configuration. But for Australia the 1.4-litre petrol engine and the low-output 2.0-litre diesel will likely be no-shows, given the standard Kodiaq won't offer these engines.
The Kodiaq Scout will ride on 19-inch wheels and will be specified with underbody protection front and rear. Where the Kodiaq Sportline features black exterior detailing, the Kodiaq Scout is finished in silver.
Features include Off-Road Assist, a Rough-Road pack, and Driving Mode Select with six modes: Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, Individual and Snow. Driver-assist and infotainment systems are largely as for the Kodiaq Sportline.
According to Paul Pottinger, local pricing for the Kodiaq will be announced in April.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
