› ŠKODA KAMIQ rounds off the brand’s SUV family at the lower end
› The youngest member of the ŠKODA model range offers an emotive design, compact dimensions, higher ground clearance and a great overall view
› The city SUV is aimed at active, lifestyle-oriented customers
ŠKODA has added a third model to its successful SUV portfolio for the European market – the ŠKODA KAMIQ – entering the rapidly growing city SUV segment for the first time. The KAMIQ blends the typical advantages of this segment such as increased ground clearance and a raised seat position with the agility of a compact car and ŠKODA’s characteristic emotive design. With state-of-the-art assistance and infotainment systems, a generous amount of space and numerous Simply Clever features, the new KAMIQ equally fulfils the needs of both family- and lifestyle-oriented customers in true ŠKODA style.
ŠKODA AUTO CEO, Bernhard Maier, said, “By launching the ŠKODA KAMIQ, we are consistently pressing ahead with our SUV campaign and are perfectly rounding off our offering on the European market.”
The new KAMIQ continues the successful SUV design language of the KODIAQ and KAROQ SUVs, whilst the split headlights, which feature daytime running lights above the main headlights, create new, distinctive visual highlights. At 4,241 mm long, the ŠKODA KAMIQ is considerably more compact than both of its bigger SUV siblings. Combined with its raised seat position, this means it is perfectly equipped for the modern-day urban jungle. In typical ŠKODA style, the KAMIQ also sets benchmarks in the city SUV segment in terms of space.
“The name KAMIQ comes from the language of the Inuit people living in northern Canada and Greenland and means something that fits perfectly in every situation – like a second skin. The KAMIQ’s name also begins with the letter K and ends in a Q, and thereby continues the homogenous nomenclature of the ŠKODA SUV models,” explained Alain Favey, ŠKODA AUTO Board Member for Sales and Marketing, adding, “I am convinced that the KAMIQ will make a strong debut in the dynamic, growing city SUV segment – with its emotive design, state-of-the-art assistance systems and generous amount of space, it has everything it needs to win over a great number of new customers.”
Stepping into a rapidly growing segment
With the KAMIQ the car manufacturer is continuing its successful SUV campaign. The SUV is set to become a future pillar of the ŠKODA model range, harnessing further potential for growth. Demand for SUVs is continuously increasing. Between 2017 to 2018 alone, demand for SUV models increased by 6.8 per cent. At present, more than one in three vehicles delivered worldwide is an SUV. The booming city SUV segment even saw an increase of 13 per cent, with its main target group being sporty, lifestyle-oriented people, who place importance on comfort as well as modern individual mobility. When choosing a car, they not only consider the practical aspects important but also how fun the vehicle is. The KAMIQ introduces a dynamic, distinctive and emotionally charged design to a new vehicle segment and couples it with the adventurous flair of an SUV. In addition to a raised seat position, it also offers higher ground clearance, a generous amount of space despite compact dimensions, a high level of functionality and fantastic connectivity. It is exclusively available with front-wheel drive, is efficient, eco-friendly and provides excellent value for money.
Highlights of the new ŠKODA KAMIQ at a glance:
An elevated ground clearance, rugged details and large wheels measuring 16 to 18 inches give the ŠKODA KAMIQ a powerful appearance. Boasting compact dimensions, the SUV newcomer is both full of character and dynamic. The ŠKODA SUV family resemblance is visible at first glance, yet some other striking features set the KAMIQ’s design apart: for example, the precisely sculptured bonnet, which lends the KAMIQ a unique look and underlines its own identity. It is the first ŠKODA to have split LED headlights with daytime running lights above and, in the full LED version, dynamic front and rear indicators. A panoramic roof is available as an option. Like all of the manufacturer’s new models, the tailgate confidently bears ‘ŠKODA’ in block lettering instead of the ŠKODA logo.
Three TSI petrol engines with cylinder capacities of 1.0 or 1.5 l and a 1.6-litre TDI produce between 70 and 110 kW (95 to 150 PS). The 1.0 G-TEC delivers 66 kW (90 PS) and is the first engine in a ŠKODA SUV to run on eco-friendly natural gas (CNG). The engines can be coupled with a 5- or 6-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed DSG; they all fulfil the Euro 6d-TEMP emissions standard. The KAMIQ features a newly developed chassis offering 39 mm more ground clearance than the SCALA. The KAMIQ can optionally be fitted with Sport Chassis Control – a 10-mm-lower sports chassis that can have its characteristics switched between Normal and Sport using Driving Mode Select.
Being based on Volkswagen Group’s MQB-A0 platform, the KAMIQ offers the highest level of active and passive safety. It is equipped with up to nine airbags including a driver knee airbag and side airbags in the rear, and features state-of-the-art assistance systems as well as plenty of space. It is 4,241 mm long, 1,793 mm wide and has a height of 1,553 mm (including roof rails). Almost 80 per cent of its bodywork consists of high-strength and hot-formed steel. LED headlights and tail lights come as standard, whilst a full LED version offering AFS and dynamic front and rear indicators is optional. Standard equipment includes Lane Assist, Front Assist with City Emergency Brake and Predictive Pedestrian Protection, and Multi-Collision Brake.
The Swing, Bolero and Amundsen systems are from the third generation of Volkswagen Group’s modular infotainment matrix, offer displays measuring from 6.5 to 9.2 inches and can be equipped with the ŠKODA Sound System featuring ten speakers as an optional extra. The KAMIQ is always online thanks to a built-in LTE eSIM. This, for example, allows navigation to be subtly and constantly optimised. The ŠKODA Digital Assistant Laura is on-hand to respond to voice commands and is also backed by online data – in addition to simple commands, she also understands natural speech and dialects.
Not only does the eSIM enable the eCall function, it provides access to Škoda Connect mobile online services too. These include Care Connect including remote vehicle access and Proactive Service, as well as Infotainment Online. Infotainment apps can be downloaded from the vehicle via the Shop. SmartLink technology for connecting devices via Apple CarPlay, Android Auto or MirrorLink™ (the optional Wireless SmartLink), a Wi-Fi hotspot, up to two USB-C ports in the front and two in the rear and a Phone Box that enables inductive smartphone charging are all also available.
