[ajmat]

Mod Note: Our Kodiaq Report has been taken live at this link (Skoda Kodiaq : Official Review). Please continue the discussion over on the new thread. Thanks!



Skoda unveiled the VisionS concept at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. This unveil is very significant as it demonstrates Skoda’s intention to move further into the lucrative big SUV market. Instead of launching it as a brand new production-ready car, the VisionS has been introduced as a design concept and will emerge into production as the Skoda Kodiaq within a year.

The VisionS is designed in-house using MQB underpinnings (just like the new Octavia & Superb). Skoda has constantly generated profits and positive cash flow for the VW group, so that enables them to remain assertive in whatever they wish to do. As you may have read elsewhere, rumour has it that VW asked Skoda to tone down the Superb, lest it ate into the Audi A6's market share. Skoda has promised us some pleasant surprises in terms of price, positioning and features.

Within the Indian space, this new SUV has the potential to be a game-changer just like the Superb was. The 30 - 40 lakh price band is filled primarily with body-on-frame SUVs. Other than the Santa Fe, there's no monocoque SUV that drives like a sedan and has 3 seat rows. The Germans offer the GLA, Q3 & X1, but they are too small (some are even cramped as 5-seaters). This is a window of opportunity for Skoda. The 'Superb' formula of quality, space, features, direct-injection petrols & diesels and European ride & handling could allow the Kodiaq to carve out its own space.

Skoda CEO, Bernhard Maier:


At 4.70 metres in length, 1.91 metres in width and 1.68 meters in height, it is comparable to a Fortuner in size. The wheelbase runs 2.79 metres long:

[ajmat]

The VisionS' design team was led by Jozef Kabaň who was adamant that the car needs to have a soul. For that, Skoda looked within its Bohemian roots. You associate Bohemia with its famous lead crystal. Bohemian crystal allows for inventiveness in terms of interpreting reflections and surfaces. Crystalline objects, whether a diamond or lead-glass, are viewed with emotion. It was decided to incorporate aspects of crystalline detail into the concept. The analogy was that, crystal glass is like engineering with a human touch.

An example of modern Bohemian crystal:

(source)

During the early 20th century, cubism had influenced art in a big way. It found its way into Czech architecture too. If you look at modern Prague architecture, it is quite apparent, featuring various edges and corners to emphasize the form.

Keystone office - Prague:

(source)

The first visual statement is made by the front grill and bonnet:


Yes, the grill is in your face! It has been exaggerated in order to give the car some character. Has a thick chrome frame and is curved. The teeth sure give it a lot of bling:


I have been reliably told that a variation of the normal butterfly grill will make it into production instead:


Note the power dome on the bonnet. Another carry-over from the Superb, but slightly more accentuated:


Crystalline treatment of the bonnet logo:


LED Headlights – these will be a four-eyed design. It reflects both, the cubism & the crystalline surfacing:


See how the fog / driving light is mounted higher in the bumper than normal. A neater variation of the original Yeti's high-mounted spotlights! I like the “hooded effect” that gives a slightly mysterious & evil look to it. Various angled surfaces come to play to make the front-end distinctive. Take away the grill and you see how the foglight housing reflects the lighting pattern in its surface:


Free of foglights, its chin gets the crystal treatment as well:


The bonnet is a design element that has been carried forward from the Superb. The lack of bonnet shut-lines enhances the reflective surfaces. The bonnet shut-lines meet at the top of the headlights and continue as part of the crease running across the length of the car:


An abstract treatment of the traditional C-shaped rear lights. Yes, it is so abstract that you'll only notice it in the pitch dark. I didn't, until it was pointed out to me:


Let’s take a step back and look at the overall profile. The profile seems to originate from the VAG stable at a glance. I watched the car revolve on the turntable and it became evident that the details are more apparent when the VisionS is viewed at obtuse angles.

Look closely and you'll see the squared wheel arches reflecting traditional Czech architecture. The manner with which the creased waistline sweeps to the rear and creates a slightly lipped rear end adds to the character. Note the swagged surfaces below the door. A lot of the car's bulk is hidden by blocked-out lower panels:


Roof line slopes downward, making it look sportier. Hope it doesn't affect headroom in the production version:


Flush-fitting retractable door handles:


Touch them and the handles pop out. They retract 60 seconds later. You might find them challenging if you're looking for a quick getaway . Too expensive to make it into production:


Funky rims are meant to signify motion & carry the philosophy of surfacing yet again. I don't think they'll make it to production; at best, a toned down version will be opted for:

[ajmat]

The interiors were totally conceptual and not much of this will get into production. My guess is, we'll see a lot of the 'Superb' in this cabin.

The interiors were upholstered in white leather and can seat 6 individuals (over 3 rows). While we'll be happy if there is a captain seat version, it's a given that the Kodiaq will be available as a 7-seater too. The interior was divided by a high transmission tunnel. I assumed that the batteries were located between the two middle-row passengers within the tunnel. There was no way a 3rd row could share space with the batteries in the boot.

The dashboard has three distinct screens (including illustrated graphics of the car's functions):


The passenger side screen provides a comprehensive multimedia interface to play movies, chat, navigation etc. - all the fiddly things that a driver cannot do on the move. This might become the chauffeured seat of choice instead of the rear seat!


Lower console for the climate control, entertainment system etc.


Steering wheel has some interesting details like touch-sensitive crystal controls (they don't actually work - just a concept):


Crystalline theme extends to the steering...


...and the gear selector:


Legacy of the XUV500 seen in the air vents!!!


The individual seats are capped with a curved top area in an inverted V-form to make it look like an exotic wing:


Each seat has individual controls, complete with a personalized setting accessed via fingerprint. While this is currently in theory only, it's interesting to see what features the cars of tomorrow will possess:


Rear door panel carries on with the crystalline theme:


Door panels get smartphone controls for things like the windows, music etc.


Sweetly integrated rear entertainment:


A look at the 3rd seat row through the window:

[ajmat]

Official images showing the full profile:


While the concept has a hybrid powertrain (1.4L TSI with electric motors front & back), you can expect to see the Superb's engines & transmissions in the production Kodiaq:


Yes, AWD will also be available:

[ajmat]

Other Skodas @ Geneva:

I just couldn't get this Superb Sportline out of my head! It looks wicked:




Blacked-out roof:


Alcantara sport seats:


Flat-bottom steering & carbon-fibre finishing on the dash:


Alcantara door trim:


Another familiar lady in red:


The elusive Octavia RS - will it come to India or not?


This is the 4x4 Combi version:


The new Fabia in Monte Carlo trim. Another 'will it come to India or not' car. With the interest that the market has shown in premium hatchbacks like the Polo TSI, Jazz and Elite i20, there were rumours that the Fabia might be considered again. The next Polo is MQB-based, hence both will be easy to build here:








Disclaimer: Skoda invited Team-BHP to the Geneva Auto Show. They covered all the travel expenses for this event.

[GTO]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the International Scene. Thanks for sharing - rating thread 5 stars!

[Amit_breakfree]

Superb Sportline, this looks like it's already in motion. It's making me go weak in the knees.

The red colour suits European cars so well, ranging from Polo to Superb to even Audi, no other manufacturer can say that their car looks so amazing in red.

Fabia and Octavia RS, both of them are good products and at some point in time, were available in the Indian market. Skoda should think of relaunching them again.

If only, Skoda can revamp it's after sales service, they can really be one of the larger players with these kind of products.

[Rover2000]

The design language is so striking! so much sharpness-too much to handle in the head, drool worthy. Thank you for sharing! I wish they all make it to India!

[ninjax]

Good vision, the only question will A.S.S ever improve? I put up with the worst A.S.S for my yeti. Outstanding car with the worst A.S.S ever and really hare brained pricing. I moved to a Volvo because i found the pricing of the new yeti to be ridiculously ludicrous. The V40 CC was a VFM in comparison!

[deetjohn]

The Kodiaq concept looks terrific. Actually, the whole Skoda stall at Geneva looks terrific.

Read any US based auto publications and they all want VW to bring their coolest brand to the states. And how can you blame them? Over here, their service is notorious, yet most of us want their new cars so badly! It's a testament to the brilliant design language they have adopted recently.

Coming to the VisionS, a 7 seater monocoque can surely do very well here. The 3rd row looks a short on space. Comparable to the space available in Ertiga? The production variant should also have bigger seats which will eat into the available room. Yeti is super capable both off and on road. Hope Kodiaq can follow the trend there.

It looks a good time away from production though. Enough for Skoda to get the sales and service sorted. Hope VW recognise the numbers a capable Skoda can get here month over month.

[Dani7766]

once again VAG not faltering in their design. The concept looks awesome. VAG definitely has to improve it's after sales service. They make beautiful cars but their a.s.s is really bad. What I've recently experienced is a much better a.s.s of Skoda, but Vw a.s.s is really bad.

[ajmat]

Originally Posted by Rover2000

The design language is so striking! so much sharpness-too much to handle in the head, drool worthy. Thank you for sharing! I wish they all make it to India!

The Kodiaq should make it for sure

Originally Posted by deetjohn

The Kodiaq concept looks terrific. Actually, the whole Skoda stall at Geneva looks terrific.

Coming to the VisionS, a 7 seater monocoque can surely do very well here. The 3rd row looks a short on space. Comparable to the space available in Ertiga? The production variant should also have bigger seats which will eat into the available room. .

It looks a good time away from production though. Enough for Skoda to get the sales and service sorted. Hope VW recognise the numbers a capable Skoda can get here month over month.

The Skoda stall had a full fledged dining area for 150 people.

The concept seats took a lot of space. The statdard items should be a little space efficient

[ajmat]

The Skoda ‘Kodiaq’ SUV will be revealed at the Paris motor show this autumn, the brand has confirmed, before going on sale in the UK early next year.

Although stopping short of confirming the car’s name – which has already been trademarked by Skoda and references the Kodiak Alaskan bear – new Skoda boss Bernhard Maier said that “Skoda will be launching a new, large SUV this autumn, thereby strengthening the brand’s position in this important vehicle segment.”

The Kodiaq's exterior design was officially previewed by the VisionS concept car at last month's Geneva motor show, and will only be toned down slightly for production. Key elements, including the prominent front grille and lighting arrangement, are likely to reach production relatively unchanged. The conceptual interior of the VisionS will be altered for production, however, most likely to fit seven seats and a more pared-back center console.

More here

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/ne...ris-motor-show

[volkman10]

The Skoda ‘Kodiaq’ SUV has been revealed at an event in Prague, before its official unveiling at the Paris motor show this autumn.

This serial Kodiaq was briefly shown to journalists in Mladá Boleslav, during a press conference on the occasion of the 25 anniversary download Damage by Germany's Volkswagen. However, had been masked at the front and rear.

The pre-production model looks largely unchanged from the VisionS concept on which it is based. It's due to go on sale in the UK early next year.

Although the car maker still hasn't officially revealed the new car's name, Skoda has trademarked it, which suggests it's all but confirmed. The name Kodiaq refers to the Kodiak Alaskan bear.

the core of the Kodiaq's engine range will be taken from the Superb, a plug-in hybrid model is also planned, although will not be part of the launch range

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/ne...v-shown-prague

[volkman10]

Skoda confirms Kodiaq name for 2016 crossover

The Czechs will show the new Kodiaq crossover in the second half of 2016. As well as the name, Skoda has confirmed the size of the SUV - it's 4.7m long - and that it'll be a full seven-seater.

Expect to see the car shown at the 2016 Paris motor show, with dealer deliveries scheduled for early 2017.

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-new...h-suv-is-here/