Skoda’s SUV family is about to welcome its third
member, after the Kodiaq and Karoq: a new, subcompact model that will be
unveiled at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. Announcing its official debut at
the event that’s set to kick off on March 5 are a couple of teasers, which give
us a glimpse at its front end. Skoda says the new LED headlight styling, with
separate DRLs at the top and integrated dynamic turn signals, are a distinctive
design feature.
The subcompact SUV was previewed by the Vision X
Concept and is based on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB A0 platform. It’s the Seat
Arona’s and VW T-Cross’ Czech “cousin” and, according to Skoda, it will
“combine the advantages of an SUV with the agility and handling of a compact
car”, while offering a spacious interior and a host of safety systems.
The new model expected to share most of the engine
family with the T-Cross and Arona, and like them, it is expected to be offered
with front-wheel drive only, although the concept car used a turbocharged d
1.5-liter engine combined with a rear-mounted electric motor and a 48V system,
which could run on petrol or compressed natural gas (CNG), which makes for an
all-wheel drive drivetrain.
The brand’s rival to the Hyundai Kona, Peugeot 2008,
Ford EcoSport, Nissan Juke and others will, in all likelihood, be named the
Kosmiq. The moniker reportedly appeared in a dealer document last year and
follows Skoda SUV naming scheme that starts with a “k” and ends with a “q”, as
is evident from the Karoq and Kodiaq, as well as the China-only Kamiq and
Kodiaq GT.
