Beijing show: Skoda lifts lid on Kamiq

SKODA has ripped the covers off its Kamiq crossover that will sit under the Karoq and Kodiaq in its growing line-up, but it will only be sold in China.

The Volkswagen Group-owned brand uncovered the Kamiq this week at an event at the Czech embassy in Beijing just days out from its motor show debut in the same city. It will go on sale in China just a couple of months after the show, according to Skoda.

While it is specifically designed and built for China, Skoda is expected to launch a sub-compact SUV for the rest of the world, and it is likely to be based on the Vision X concept that was revealed at this year’s Geneva motor show.

While the future global crossover is expected the be built on VW Group’s ubiquitous MQB platform, the Kamiq is underpinned by the China-market PQ platform that also forms the basis of the Chinese-built Rapid small car.

At 4390mm long, 1781mm wide, 1593mm high and with a 2610mm wheelbase, the Kamiq is actually 8mm longer than the mid-size Karoq, but it is smaller in all other dimensions.

The name follows Skoda’s SUV naming strategy of starting with a ‘k’ and ending ‘q’.

Under the bonnet is a 1.5-litre petrol engine producing 81kW/150Nm, teamed with an automatic transmission, but Skoda has not provided any more powertrain details.

The design follows the look of its larger SUV siblings with the vertical double slat grille and tornado line as well as similar tail-light and headlight designs.

Skoda says the robust design continues inside, with the Kamiq featuring a high-set 8.0-inch infotainment display, a chrome strip running along the width of the dash that connects controls, ergonomically designed seats and angled speakers, while the seats have a plaid pattern with a 3D effect.

Given the Kamiq is aimed at young urbanites, it features various digital and connectivity systems, including a voice control system built by voice recognition company iFLYTEK that understands regional Chinese dialects and can learn individual and local language styles.

It is also offered with Apple CarPlay, MirrorLink and the Chinese Baidu Carlife system.

Via its VW Group parent company, Skoda’s joint-venture partner in China is SAIC Motor. Last year the company sold 334,517 cars in China, which gives the brand a 1.4 per cent market share.

Skoda announced last year that it was planning to double its sales in China to 600,000 by 2020, largely on the back of a range of SUVs.