The Skoda Karoq had its world premiere in Sweden
yesterday. The Skoda Karoq is the successor to the Skoda Yeti
that was introduced in 2009. With a body that is 4,382 mm long, 1,841 mm wide
and 1,605 mm tall, the Karoq is 60 mm longer, 48 mm wider and 86 mm lower than
the model it replaces.
It has a wheelbase of 2,638 mm (FWD)/2,630 mm (AWD).
There’s a maximum load space of 1,630 in the SUV, which the buyers can increase
to 1,810 litres by availing a grade equipped with the VarioFlex system that
consists of three separate and individually adjustable and removable seats.
The Skoda Karoq range consists of two petrol and
three diesel models. 115 PS 1.0-litre TSI and 150 PS 1.5-litre
TSI are the available petrol engines, both paired to either a 6-speed manual
transmission or the 7-speed DSG transmission. Then there are the 115 PS 1.6-litre TDI and 150 PS 2.0-litre TDI diesel engines, also available
with 6-speed manual and the 7-speed DSG transmission choices. The range-topping
model is powered by a 190 PS 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine that sends
power the wheels via the 7-speed DSG transmission. This model does get an
all-wheel drive system.
The Skoda Karoq is the first Skoda equipped with a
fully digital instrument panel in the Czech brand. The driver can select from
Classic, Digital, Info-Profile and Reduced layouts for this unit. Other
features worth taking a note of are full-LED headlights, LED fog lights,
19-inch alloy wheels, LED tail lights and brake lights, 9.2-inch Columbus
infotainment system with 64 GB storage, navigation, DVD/CD drive and gesture
control and Skoda Phonebox for wireless charging and enhanced cellular
connectivity.
A slew of advanced safety and driver assistance
features are also offered in the Seat Ateca‘s mechanical cousin, including
Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detect and Rear Traffic Alert, City
Emergency Brake with Predictive Pedestrian Protection, Lane Assist, Driver
Alert and Traffic Sign Recognition.
The Skoda Karoq will go on sale in first markets in
the second half of the year. Skoda has said that it sees the potential for a
Skoda Karoq RS because its customers are demanding RS SUVs, but a final decision
on that is pending. Besides this souped-up RS variant, which could sport a 300
PS 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine as expected in the Seat Ateca CUPRA, a
plug-in hybrid variant also is under consideration.
