At the Paris Motor
Show next week, Skoda will take the wraps off its new Kodiaq RS. And when it
does, the Czech automaker’s first proper performance SUV looks like it’ll be as
sporty on the inside as it will look from the outside.
The latest teasers
for the Kodiaq RS show us what the cockpit will look like. And it looks like
it’ll be a suitable environment from which to summon the performance the
machine will have to offer.
The cabin is
principally upholstered in grippy, lightweight Alcantara – all perforated and
diamond-quilted with red contrast stitching. The seats will be heavily
bolstered to keep driver and at least the first of the six additional occupants
in place, the steering wheel will be nice and beefy for better control, and
there’ll be plenty of faux-carbon trim, stainless steel pedals, and a black
headliner – all of which adds up to a decidedly sportier look and feel from the
standard Kodiaq.
The sportiest
version of Skoda’s midsize crossover is expected to pack a 2.0-liter twin-turbo
diesel four-cylinder engine good for 236 hp and about 500
Nm of torque. Combined with the 20-inch wheels, beefed-up suspension, upgraded
aero kit, and other enhancements, that’s already confirmed to be enough to make
the Kodiaq RS the fastest seven-seat SUV ever to lap the Nürburgring. It
clocked an impressive lap time of 9 minutes and 29.84 seconds at the
Nordschleife this past May. And every indication is that it will be as quick on
the road as it has proven on the most punishing of tracks.
