ŠKODA KAMIQ: Exclusive Unveiling

Explore the new member of ŠKODA family, learn about its technology and take a look in the cabin and under the bonnet.

26. 2. 2019 Models Kamiq

“The KAMIQ is very special for me. It’s the first project I’ve done at ŠKODA,” admits Oliver Stefani, Head of ŠKODA Design. “It follows the ŠKODA tradition with very bold, distinctive headlights that are exceptionally slim and stylish. And yet the car also has a powerful, squat stance and exudes ruggedness when it’s on the road. Another striking element is the dynamically swept roofline. I think we’ve achieved everything we promised to our fans with the ŠKODA VISION X concept from last year,” adds Stefani.

The wide radiator grille with twin slats, massive front apron and distinctive bonnet profile make for a rugged appearance. The rear diffuser accentuates the generous ride height, 36 mm higher than the comparable ŠKODA SCALA. To The wheels are with 16- to 18-inch rims. At the same time, the KAMIQ has 117 mm shorter overhangs for better approach and departure angles. For more adventurous owners, underside protection is an option, while sportier drivers will enjoy the stiffer sport suspension, lowered by 10 millimetres and offering two levels of damping stiffness.

Agile but still spacious
“It’s unmistakably a ŠKODA, but at the same time, it’s totally different. Our goal was to create a different kind of SUV from what has been seen before,” explained Christian Strube, the ŠKODA management board member responsible for technical development. The KAMIQ takes the advantages typical for SUVs, such as the increased ride height and the resulting comfortable driving position, and combines them with the agility of a compact car.

Despite the undeniably compact dimensions (4,241 mm in length, 1,793 mm in width, and 1,531 mm height), it still boasts a longest-in-class interior. Rear passengers have a generous 73 mm kneeroom and the luggage compartment accommodates 400 to 1,395 litres. The front-passenger seat’s folding backrest opens up extra space so that items up to 2.5 metres in length can be transported. On top of that, there are more than twenty Simply Clever solutions inside – including an umbrella in the driver’s door, or, uniquely in this segment, slide-out door-edge protectors. The car can also be equipped with a retractable tow bar and an electrically operated tailgate that closes at the push of a button.

A car teeming with features
The use of a new vehicle platform has made it possible to fit the KAMIQ with numerous technologies previously the preserve of the high-end segments, including heating for the front and rear seats, the steering wheel and the windscreen. The airy interior can be dominated by an optional Virtual Cockpit with five display modes and a 10.25-inch display. A standalone 9.2-inch display is positioned in the driver’s field of vision, its characteristic outline following the shape of the bonnet and creating an ergonomic armrest for the hand controlling the touchscreen.

The standard equipment range includes a lane assist system and an emergency brake feature with predictive pedestrian protection. Adaptive cruise control, Side Assist, parking assist to enter or exit parallel and perpendicular parking spots automatically, and voice and gesture control for the infotainment system are all also available. “The KAMIQ comes with a completely new generation of infotainment systems. It’s always online and, thanks to its applications, it is able to offer the most advanced ŠKODA Connect services. This makes it perfect for our younger customers in the urban SUV sector, who are online all the time,” remarks Strube.