Overview: The ŠKODA KODIAQ RS – a performance SUV with RS genes

› The first SUV in the long history of ŠKODA’s Rally Sport family
› The KODIAQ RS is the new spearhead of the Czech car manufacturer’s SUV campaign
› The 176 kW (240‑PS) diesel engine combines top performance, lifestyle and sustainability
› Dynamic Sound Boost reiterates the emotiveness of the most powerful KODIAQ variant
› With a record lap time of 9 minutes 29.84 seconds on the Nürburgring’s legendary Nordschleife, the KODIAQ is the fastest seven-seater SUV

The ŠKODA KODIAQ RS is the first SUV in ŠKODA’s sporty RS family and also the new spearhead of the Czech car manufacturer’s SUV campaign. The performance model is powered by the most powerful production diesel engine in ŠKODA history with a power output of 176 kW (240 PS). It demonstrated its capabilities with a record lap time of 9 minutes 29.84 seconds on the toughest race track in the world – the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife. The performance SUV is the first ŠKODA to also feature Dynamic Sound Boost for a particularly emotive engine note.

Press texts, infographics, footage and photos are available in the interactive press kit at ŠKODA Storyboard.

The ŠKODA KODIAQ RS comes with all-wheel drive as standard. It provides everything the ever-growing target group for powerful SUVs could wish for thanks to its exceptional dynamics both on and off the road as well as its particularly bold appearance. It uniquely combines a modern lifestyle with sportiness; the efficient and powerful diesel engine impresses with its sustainability. With the perfect mix of a dynamic driving experience and excellent suitability for daily use, the KODIAQ RS is the first SUV to combine the distinguishing qualities of all the ŠKODA RS models.

ŠKODA KODIAQ RS Teaser

From a big shopping trip or a family outing to sporty usage on- and off-road, the ŠKODA KODIAQ RS is well equipped for almost anything that everyday life can throw at it. The Czech brand’s first performance SUV is aimed at active and design-focused customers. With the ŠKODA KODIAQ RS, they can cultivate their modern lifestyle and highlight it with the car’s sporty appearance. The SUV offers sporty and enjoyable driving on the road thanks to its powerful engine. In addition, it can transport mountain bikes to a remote downhill mountain track in its spacious boot and can easily cope with moving house on a small scale. In a nutshell: the ŠKODA KODIAQ RS combines the qualities of a sporty, long-distance vehicle with those of a robust and very safe family car.

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František Drábek
Head of the Compact Car Model Range

Mr Drábek, what are the biggest advantages of the KODIAQ RS with regards to driving dynamics?
The ŠKODA KODIAQ RS comes equipped with a two litre TDI biturbo engine that provides a power output of 176 kW and maximum torque of 500 Nm. It is the first ŠKODA model with biturbo technology. Our top of the range model’s standard equipment also includes progressive steering and Dynamic Chassis Control with Driving Mode Select.

Where was the new KODIAQ RS tested?
During its development, the sporty large SUV was tested on numerous race tracks all over Europe, including the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife, where the KODIAQ RS set the lap record for seven-seater SUVs.

What kind of customer is the KODIAQ RS designed for and what were the biggest challenges during its development?
People who pursue an active lifestyle will love this car. The biggest challenge has been to offer an SUV that is both suitable for everyday use and great fun to drive – I think we have done exactly that, and fantastically well.

The ŠKODA KODIAQ RS secured its first record even before its world premiere. Racing driver Sabine Schmitz, who is the only woman to have won the 24‑hour race on the Nürburgring to date, conquered the Nürburgring’s 20.832‑km‑long Nordschleife in 9 minutes 29.84 seconds. The ŠKODA KODIAQ RS thereby set a lap record for seven-seater SUVs in the legendary ‘Green Hell’.

“The car looks sporty and is sporty to drive. I thought a seven-seater would be difficult to handle on a demanding circuit like the Nordschleife, but it handled like a dream and was easy to drive. I’m impressed,” said Schmitz, who has already driven more than 30,000 laps around the Nordschleife during her career.

It is not just the brand’s most powerful diesel production engine and Dynamic Sound Boost, which provides a particularly striking sound, that are making their debuts in the new ŠKODA KODIAQ RS. It is also the first time a ŠKODA features 20‑inch Xtreme alloy wheels as standard. Furthermore, the range of standard equipment includes full‑LED headlights and LED tail lights. Selected body elements in gloss black underpin the sporty appearance of the ŠKODA KODIAQ RS. In addition to the engine, the 7‑speed DSG and intelligent all‑wheel drive also contribute to the dynamic driving characteristics; progressive steering as standard ensures particularly safe and agile handling.

Furthermore, the sporty RS also offers all the advantages of the large ŠKODA SUV. In addition to its spacious boot, the ŠKODA KODIAQ RS provides plenty of room for five or seven occupants, depending on the chosen version. It offers the latest technology for infotainment and connectivity. The car features a Wi‑Fi hotspot and enables access to the ŠKODA Connect services. And in ŠKODA-typical style, the KODIAQ RS also makes everyday driving that little bit easier with numerous Simply Clever features.