Skoda puts tech back in its cars

THE ships have sailed loaded to the gunwales with Skodas that will arrive in the last quarter of this year; and because of improving micro-chip and other critical component supplies, along with red hot competition, most of the local line-up sees a return of previously deleted safety kit and the addition of more standard equipment and available option packs.

As a corollary, it means the Czech-based VW Group brand will want to move existing stock… leading to more choices for potential buyers looking for a deal. Skoda Australia will notify pricing changes related to the re-fitted “upgrade” models shortly.

The tech’ boost (and refit) applies across both the SUV and passenger car range but not all models are included.

Skoda Australia has confirmed that the additional technology will feature in a “significant” number of models arriving from the fourth quarter including the three-model Kamiq, Karoq and Kodiaq SUV range along with the Scala and the Octavia small and medium passenger cars.

As a result of the upgrades every model in the Skoda range Down Under will now feature Side Assist with Rear Traffic alert as standard.

Starting with the small Kamiq SUV, it will now include Side Assist with Rear Traffic Alert and a power tailgate standard across the range while a premium Skoda sound system will become optional (with Travel Pack) on the Monte Carlo.

Moving to the medium size Karoq SUV we find it now includes Side Assist with Rear Traffic Alert and Lane Assist standard across the two-tier Style and Sportline 4x4 range.

Lower spec’ 2WD Karoq Style now offers a new leather seats pack featuring black or ivory comfort leather seats with power front adjustment and memory, auto-dimming foldable door mirrors, ambient lighting, front and rear LED reading lights and interior foot well lighting.

The larger Kodiaq SUV will feature Side Assist with Rear Traffic Alert, auto-dimming exterior mirrors and power child locks. A Canton premium audio system is standard on Kodiaq RS 4x4 and optional (with Tech Pack) on Style 4x4 and Sportline 4x4.

The Scala small car mirrors the Skoda Fabia's extensive technology suite, now having Side Assist with Rear Traffic Alert as standard across the range. The range topping Signature model now adds a power tailgate.

The Octavia medium size passenger car gets Park Assist, Side Assist with Rear Traffic Alert, Power Child Locks, auto-imming interior mirror and driver's exterior mirror on Style and RS. The Canton audio system returns to the Octavia RS with optional Premium Pack.

Optional on base Octavia Style is a separate Tech Pack and Luxury Pack that will be bundled into a new, single Tech & Luxury Pack with everything from both packs minus the previous head-up display and Dynamic Chassis Control.

Fabia and Superb models miss out on tech upgrades but the range topping Superb lift back and wagon will continue in Sportline 4x4 guise only.

Skoda Australia said current stock is available across the model range to take home today, but the upgrade examples will not be here until around October.

A new pricing schedule will be announced shortly.