Skoda Mountiaq SUV ute concept makes debut

The one-off Skoda Mountiaq ute concept has been unveiled as a potential rival to the Ford Ranger – if the Czech car-maker ever decided to build it.

Sadly, the prospect of an SUV-based pick-up like the Skoda Mountiaq is highly unlikely because instead of being created to preview a production model, the Kodiaq-related concept has been built to showcase the work of a small army of apprentices.

Claimed to be the work of more than 2000 man hours, the Skoda Mountiaq Student Car features substantial sheet metal changes over the regular Kodiaq.

Measuring in some 302mm longer, 123mm wider with a 3mm shorter wheelbase, the dimensions alone only hit home the huge challenges that faced the designers and engineers.

These include custom panels, the introduction of a functioning tailgate, new bumpers and widened, shorter doors.

As well as transforming its mid-size SUV into a handy ute, the apprentice engineers have added plenty of modifications to ensure the Mountiaq can go far further off road.

This includes adding underbody armour, a front bull-bar, a roof-mounted LED bar, a snorkel for wading and a high-lift suspension upgrade.

The result is a pick-up that features 290mm ground clearance – 100mm more than the off-road optimised Kodiaq Scout.

Helping aid traction in mud and snow, the Mountiaq dumps its road tyres for a set of 17-inch alloy wheels shod with off-road tyres.

Perhaps less helpful mods, include an illuminated bonnet logo, 'Skoda' puddle lights and extra under bonnet illumination.

Speaking of what lies beneath, the Mountiaq is powered by a 140kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo but performance is expected to be glacial as the weight of all the modifications sees the Skoda ute tip the scales at 2450kg.

Inside the heavyweight Skoda, the Mountiaq gets embroidered front seatbacks with orange highlights.

An integrated fridge and powerful 320-watt sound system, that's boosted by a 2000-watt amp and subwoofer, complete the updates.

The Mountiaq is the sixth apprentice-built creation, and the second ute from the Skoda’s Mlada Bolesav trade school.

Last June, 23 students created a wacky convertible based on the car-maker’s Karoq.

Dubbed the Skoda Sunroq, the 2018 concept followed on from a Citigo-based electric buggy (2017), a Rapid Spaceback coupe (2016), a Fabia ute (2015) and a sporty two-seat Citigo roadster (2014).

Meanwhile, even if a production version of the Mountiaq was given the green light for Skoda it's not known how consumers would react to an SUV-based ute.

Since it's based on a car-like MQB platform, the Mountiaq wouldn't offer anywhere near the one-tonne payload of its rivals.

It's more sophisticated car-like construction would also mean the Skoda ute would cost more than its more agricultural alternatives like Ford's Ranger.