Skoda trims Kamiq range for Oz

SKODA Australia has introduced an updated version of the Kamiq small SUV, with the Czech brand taking a ‘simplified and better value’ approach for the range.

The facelifted Kamiq line-up consists of just two models: the entry-level 85TSI Select, at $33,990 drive-away, and the more richly specified, sportier 110TSI Monte Carlo, at $44,990 drive-away.

For buyers who might be wanting a ‘mid-spec’ option, there will also be an available Signature Pack for the Select grade, which is said to add $6000 worth of additional value for a $4200 ask. More details below.

The simplification and re-stratification of the line-up is a clear sign from the brand that it needs to regain some ground in terms of affordability and increase its sales, and Skoda Australia product and marketing manager Kieran Merrigan said the business understands it has moved out of the consideration set for some budget-conscious customers.

“Previously, Skoda, obviously pre-COVID, what we experienced in our addressable market was we kind of covered the whole market separate to light commercial, heavy commercial and… we had passenger cars, SUVs, and we felt like we were playing every segment,” he said.

“We had cars at entry prices, every segment covered; hatches, wagons, SUVs et cetera.

“As it is now, we know that there's more vehicles in-market at this stage and that’s obviously taken some of our addressable market. And we also know that economic pressures potentially pushed our prices up a little bit.

“But also with some new entrants, they potentially brought the market down, that we're not playing in.

“Also introducing entry models. Kamiq was a good example where, you know, post-COVID the entry drive-away price is $37,990 for the Style, and now we’re looking at a current car at $33,990 (drive-away) which is better equipped.

“So, (we are) super excited to get to that stage and then what is coming to actually fill that gap? Fabia Select, we shared the pricing a few weeks ago, $31,990 (drive-away), super excited to get this car in market obviously underneath Monte Carlo we will have Select.

“We didn’t share the spec, but we can now, it’s the same engine we have in the Kamiq Select, the 1.0-litre. Again, great torque, great power and fuel economy.”

Mr Merrigan also wanted to point out that for the brand, it isn’t all about lower pricing, though that will no doubt help get potential buyers through the door.

“So, what is Skoda’s unique selling point? With 60, 70, I’m not sure how many brands are in the market at the moment, it could be 80 or 90 soon no doubt – having one singular unique selling point has got to be difficult with that many competitors,” he explained.

“But what we’ve shown is we’ve got a balance of three things which provide a lot of value.

“The first thing is we are European-owned and European-built, so not just engineered, not just designed, but all our cars coming to Australia are built out of Czech factories.

“The second thing is we offer more value for money than most of our competitors, if not all. It’s not that we’re the cheapest in the market, but when you put your money down and you pay a price, you get good spec, good levels of value for your money.

“The third thing we really want to focus on is the ‘ease of ownership’ piece, and what does that mean?

“As a European brand, we want to be easy to own, we want to have things like a seven-year warranty, we want to be fully transparent in our customer journey,” he said, stating that the brand has put a lot of focus on its in-house finance offering, and highlighting the weekly ‘at a glance’ costs on each vehicle available, not to mention the on-site calculator with adjustable terms and a Guaranteed Future Value offer, as well.

As for the Kamiq, it is reasonably well equipped for the money.

The entry-level 85TSI Select comes as standard with LED headlights, daytime running lights and indicators, LED tail-lights with dynamic indicators, 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and push-button start, an 8.0-inch touchscreen media system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone climate control, an 8.25-inch driver info display, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated and folding side mirrors with driver’s auto dimming, and the umbrella in the door is still offered in the base model.

The base grade further includes black and grey interior trim, four USB-C ports, but doesn’t have a wireless charger. In fact, no Kamiq does.

It also has a decent array of safety tech as standard, including Front Assist with auto emergency braking for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as lane keep assistance, driver attention monitoring (not camera-based) blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors with low-speed auto braking (Manoeuvre Braking), and standard cruise control.

Buyers of the Select grade also have the option to add the Signature Pack at $4200 more, which includes adaptive cruise control with lane centring assistance and Travel Assist (traffic jam assistance with acceleration, braking and steering at lower speeds), not to mention semi-autonomous parking assistance, an electric boot, 18-inch wheels with aero covers, rear tinted windows, a 10.25-inch digital driver screen, ambient interior lighting, black, copper and grey trim with Suedia finishes, carpet floor mats, and chrome roof rails.

The entry-level 85TSI Select is powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing 85kW of power and 200Nm of torque, and it is offered solely with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and front-wheel drive.

Fuel consumption for the three-pot is 5.5 litres per 100km on the ADR Combined cycle.

The more expensive 110TSI Monte Carlo scores a bigger and more powerful 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, with 110kW and 250Nm, again with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and front-wheel drive. It has an official fuel use figure of just 5.6 litres per 100km.

It gets a fair bit more standard specification including all the stuff you get if you option the Signature Pack, but the Monte Carlo instead subs in an exterior black pack and different 18-inch wheels, and also gains a panoramic glass roof with sunblind, Matrix LED headlights with auto high-beam, and includes Sport Chassis Control adaptive dampers.

Inside, the Monte Carlo has a larger 9.2-inch touchscreen with sat nav, a 10-speaker sound system with subwoofer, power adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a sporter interior trim with red finishes, and a black headlining.

No current-gen Skoda Kamiq is available with leather, even as an option.