Skoda names future SUV Kodiaq

SKODA has given a name to its upcoming mid-size SUV, with the Czech brand announcing the new model will take the Kodiaq moniker.

Expected to be ready for sale in early 2017, the Kodiaq will be revealed in the second half of 2016, possibly at the Paris motor show later this year.

The seven-seater will be an important addition to Skoda's line-up, as the Volkswagen Group brand does not have an offering in the popular mid-sized SUV segment.

Measuring 4700mm long, the Kodiaq is the same length as the VisionS, which suggests the Kodiaq will also mirror the other dimensions of the concept.

At 1910mm wide and 1680mm high, the Kodiaq is a similar size to the Hyundai Santa Fe and other large SUVS including the Kia Sorento, Nissan Pathfinder and soon-to-be-released Mazda CX-9.

The Kodiaq will be built on Volkswagen Group's MQB modular platform that also underpins the Octavia and Superb stablemates, as well as the new-gen Volkswagen Tiguan and Passat, among others.

While an Australian launch is yet to be confirmed, Volkswagen Group Australia public relations manager Kurt McGuiness said the company was “very interested in expanding our SUV offering in Australia and will certainly be looking to introduce the Kodiaq”.

Powertrains for the Kodiaq have yet to be announced, however reports have suggested that the SUV will share some of the engines from the recently-released Superb line-up, which includes a mixture of 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and diesel four-cylinder engines, one of which is the 206kW firecracker that also powers the Volkswagen Golf R.

Skoda could use the Kodiaq to introduce electrification to its powertrains, given the VisionS concept used a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine paired to two electric motors – one on the front axle and one on the back – for a combined output of 165kW/740Nm.

That torque figure would easily outmatch any of the Kodiaq's aforementioned potential rivals, and would present an attractive option for buyers looking for a vehicle for towing or touring.

So far in 2016 Skoda has sold 1433 units in Australia, including 125 Octavia Scouts and 168 Yeti SUVs. This overall number is down by just 20 units compared with January to April 2015.