The Czech VW subsidiary Skoda crowns the Kodiaq SUV series with a sports version. The most powerful diesel ever used in a Skoda develops 176 kW / 240 hp, plus up to seven seats and all-wheel drive. The prices start at almost 50.000 euros. In addition to a lot of car, fun and sport, the RS also offers a new Skoda sound.
Imagine a modern recording studio producing a new hit. A technician with headphones sits in a soundproof cabin, his fingers glide over and over countless sliders. Then finally, after much back and forth, the sound matches the taste of the artist. Something similar it will probably have been in the clay laboratory at Skoda, in which a pithy sound for a new sports model with diesel engine is sought. Since today's engines sound quite soft, the specialists have to puzzle and try out. Until an audibly brazen diesel dies and roars like a fat six-cylinder in a sports car.
In the new Skoda Kodiaq with the letters RS on the bow and stern, the music is in a small loudspeaker in the rear right under the smart SUV body, mixes with the normal noise that a two-liter diesel engine with 176 kW / 240 PS produces two chromed tailpipes released into the open air. The result is a kind of acoustic masterpiece that delivers different timbres depending on the selected driving mode and speed. Skoda engineer Radek Hošinský explains: "The advantage of our system is that we can reshape the sound of the vehicle, even on diesel-powered cars, which is not possible with the exhaust system alone."
So far so good. The new top model of the successful Skoda Kodiaq (previously sold 277.000) thus sounds as artificially as potent as a sporty SUV. The Czechs call their scale “Dynamic Sound Boost”, which they put into the cradle of the most expensive Kodiaq. The sister model of the long version of the VW Tiguan should not only attract wealthy Skoda fans through its grim but never riotous sound. Because he has the most powerful diesel engine under his hood, ever powered by a model from Mladá Boleslav near Prague, he could be of interest to those who have always wanted a mix of high-legged, spacious SUV and a sports car.
First exit in still sun-drenched Andalusia. Inside the power bear there is darkness, black is trump. Alcantara sports seats with leather cheeks, as well as colored plastic above the dashboard. Solid red stitching as a color contrast, plus a digital cockpit, in which it also glows red. The colorful map image of the Navis provides further brightening. Except for those specially for the RS programmable scoreboard behind the wheel is everything like in the normal Kodiaq.
End of the familiar normality when pressing the start button. There he is, the "fake" sound, provoked by tapping the Sport mode. From the inside heard quite discreet, according to an outside ear witness properly pithy. The standard seven-speed dual clutch turns its gears powerful when accelerating before it turns up. Thanks to the 500 Newtonmeter full power and the two turbochargers, all without any jerky jerk. In the curve dance on narrow country roads away from the currently orphaned tourist Mecca, the standard so-called progressive steering is used. Sensitive even with small impacts, pleasingly taut in elongated bends. After all, there are good 1,9 tons to maneuver. A fun SUV in pure culture, when the oats sting.
Of course, the Kodiaq can also be comfortable, in the comfort or even eco-level. Gentle sightseeing gliding along the Atlantic, confident swimming in the city traffic of Cádiz or also convoy driving in the throttled on 120 km / h Spanish highway. Here, the fast-reacting known distance radar from the VW construction kit or the carefully but effectively returning lane-tracking assistant proves itself when approaching the painted lanes. A suitable for everyday use, spacious means of transport also in sportswear.
By the way, was omitted on eye-catching externalities. The RS model is especially recognizable by its special 20 inch wheels, in which the red-painted brakes shine through. The RS logo from the Octavia has been slightly modified for the Kodiac. At the bow and stern, it was supplemented by a "V", which stands for "victory". However, anyone who is to be defeated there remains open. Maybe the victory over the shallows of the surcharge list is meant.
Because the Kodiaq RS, which is quite expensive at almost 50.000 euros, cushions the Skoda-atypical price shock somewhat with a wealth of standard extras. Automatic transmission, electronic suspension control, four-wheel drive, city emergency brake function with person recognition, LED lighting technology front and rear, Internet connection via app, and much more. Supplements are due for the usual assistance systems such as distance radar, the navigation and communication system, the 360 degree camera or the third row of seats. In sum, you can count on the basic price around 3.000 Euro for his dream car.
Sure, the expensive sports SUV is also an experiment for Skoda. Whereby quite good arguments per Kodiaq speak. In the Octavia for example, a good quarter of customers choose the RS version.
Skoda Kodiaq RS - Technical Specifications:
Five-door SUV with up to seven seats. Length: 4,70 meters, width (without exterior mirrors): 1,88 meters, height: 1,69 meters. Wheelbase: 2,79 meters, trunk volume: 530 - 1.960 liters, unladen weight (with driver): from 1.880 kg. Payload: 616 kg, electronically controlled four-wheel drive
Drive: four-cylinder diesel engine with double turbo and direct injection, 1.968 ccm, 176 kW / 240 PS, max. Torque: 500 Nm at 1.750-2.500 rpm, Vmax: 221 km / h, 0-100 km / h in 6,9 sec., Seven-speed dual clutch automatic, standard consumption according to WLTP: 6,4 l / 100 km, CO2Emissions: 167 g / km, EU 6d Temp.
Price from: 49.990 Euro
Skoda Kodiaq RS - brief description:
Why: Because you think the "normal" Kodiaq models too weak chest
Why not: Because the "normal" Kodiaq models are quite sufficient
What else: Audi Q3 45 TFSI quattro S (petrol), Jaguar E-Pace D240, Volvo XC 40 T5 AWD (petrol)