Skoda’s next-generation family SUV is only a week away from its official launch.
With only a week to go until its official unveiling, sketches of the second-generation Skoda Kodiaq SUV have been released. Having already seen its high-tech new interior, driven pre-production prototypes and learned all about its new and more efficient range of engines, its exterior styling is the last piece of the puzzle that we’re now finally getting a sense of.
Evident in these new sketches is the Kodiaq’s evolutionary design that combines traditional Skoda design cues, such as the scalloped bonnet and vertical grille vanes, with a new curved character line just above the sills and sharper LED lighting. While we’ll have to see how accurately these sketches translate in the metal, they do preview the new car’s cleaner and more sophisticated body.
The Kodiaq’s most substantial design changes look to be focused around the rear, with slim rear lights and a darkened D-pillar that gives the effect of a semi-floating roof. This will help give the Skoda a distinct silhouette, creating more visual distinction between it and Volkswagen’s new Tiguan, which shares many of its fundamental powertrain and chassis elements.
This new exterior design will sit outside of the recently revealed interior that will introduce new configurable dials, sustainable materials and the Czech brand’s signature ‘Simply Clever’ touches within a design that builds on the current model.
At the heart of the new Kodiaq interior is a 13-inch free-standing touchscreen, below which you’ll find the Skoda’s new ‘Smart Dials’ that are also going to feature in the latest Skoda Superb.
Each dial houses a 32 millimetre display, with the outer two dedicated to cabin temperature, plus heating and cooling for the driver and front passenger seat. Meanwhile the central dial can be used to adjust the volume, fan speed, or even the drive mode.
Other new additions for forthcoming Kodiaq include a 10-inch Virtual Cockpit driver’s display that can be complemented with a head-up display. The gear selector has also been moved from the centre console to the steering column, with its usual spot now taken up by a wireless charging pad large enough for two smartphones, according to Skoda.
The next Kodiaq will also feature an umbrella and handy ice scraper in the driver’s door, and like the Enyaq will be offered with a choice of interior design schemes: Loft, Lounge, or ecoSuite in Black or Cognac. The textiles used on selector models will be made from 100 per cent recycled polyester, while the leather in others is to be produced using an eco-friendly tanning process.