Paris show: Skoda reveals special Karoq pair

SKODA has revealed a pair of new variants of its Karoq small SUV range ahead of a public debut at the Paris motor show in October, with only one of the two likely to make it to Australian showrooms.

 

The most likely of the two is the Sportline, that borrows the nameplate from the Superb and Kodiaq and adds a number of extra touches over the standard Karoq.

 

Skoda Australia general manager of communications Paul Pottinger told GoAuto that the company was keen to get its hands on the Sportline given the success of the Kodiaq and Superb versions, but it would hinge on product availability. 

 

Providing it gets the green light, it would likely land Down Under towards the end of 2019.

 

Like the other Sportline variants, the Karoq gains sporty styling touches such as 18-inch black alloy wheels with 19-inch hoops as options, black roof rails, sports bumpers, tinted windows and Sportline badging on the front mudguards.

 

Inside, it receives black sports seats upholstered in breathable Thermoflux fabric with contrast silver stitching and front lumbar support, black leather sports steering wheel, stainless steel pedals, black headliner, black roof pillars and an LED package with ambient lighting.

 

The Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster is offered as an option.

 

The Sportline is available with either a 140kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine or 140kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel unit, with both employing a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

 

Mr Pottinger told GoAuto that Skoda Australia would likely bring the diesel, which would sit alongside the 110kW/250Nm 1.5-litre 110TSI variant that launched locally in June.

 

The other Karoq slated for a reveal in Paris is the offroad-focused Scout, a nameplate previously seen on the Octavia, Fabia and Kodiaq that adds extra dirt-road credibility to the Karoq range.

 

Globally, three powertrains will be offered for the Scout, including the 110TSI unit and 140kW diesel with seven-speed DSG transmissions, or a 110kW/340Nm 2.0-litre diesel mated to a six-speed manual. As befitting of its Scout status, all versions come with all-wheel drive.

 

The Scout is distinguished from the regular Karoq through black wheelarch cladding, silver trim elements on the front and rear bumper and side skirts, Scout logos, tinted windows, and like the Sportline, 18-inch hoops with a 19-inch option.

 

It also comes with the rough terrain package that adds extra underbody protection for venturing off-road.

 

Inside, specification takes after the Sportline with a leather multifunction steering wheel, stainless steel pedals, LED lighting package and newly designed seat covers with black-brown contrasting seams and Scout badging.

 

Like the Sportline, Virtual Cockpit will be offered as an option.

 

Mr Pottinger said Skoda Australia was not interested in bringing the Karoq Scout Down Under.

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