2018 Skoda Kodiaq Sportline and Scout revealed ahead of Geneva

Skoda has taken the wraps off the Sportline and Scout variants of its Kodiaq SUV, which will follow the local launch of the SUV's initial version in the third quarter of this year.

The global debut of the Kodiaq Sportline and Scout is scheduled for March 7 at the Geneva motor show.

Skoda Australia general manager of corporate communications Paul Pottinger has revealed the Sportline variant will be available in Australia, whilst the Scout remains under consideration.

“We’re interested in all variants of the Kodiaq, bearing in mind in Australia we’ll be sticking to all-wheel drive and seven seaters,” he said.

Set for a likely local debut in 2018, the Sportline offers a host of sporty visual-only enhancements including black roof rails, side window trims, and wing mirror housings, as well as body-coloured side trims and radiator grille, plus tinted rear and second-seat side windows.

Exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels are standard, with 20-inch versions on the options list for the Sportline variant, which also bears a front wing badge to signify its spec.

The Sportline's interior boasts a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear lever, aluminium pedals, Alcantara seats with electronic adjustment and memory function for the driver, plus Alcantara door inserts with silver stitching, folding side mirrors, ten-colour LED ambient lighting, as well as a multi-function display which shows turbo pressure, oil and coolant temperatures, current engine output and G-force levels.

The standard 'Driving Mode Selection' also offers drivers the choice of eco, comfort, normal, snow, sport and individual modes which can be teamed with the optional adaptive dynamic chassis control that allows dampers to be set to either comfort, normal or sport.

Alternatively, the Scout adds more rugged looks to the Kodiaq, including black side-body trims, 19-inch alloy wheels with silver-finished front and rear diffusers.

2017 Skoda Kodiaq Scout

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2017 Skoda Kodiaq Scout

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Whilst the tinted rear and second-row side windows are shared with the Sportline, the Scout changes the trim colour on the radiator grille, side windows, roof rails and wing mirrors from black to silver.

In line with its rugged visual upgrade, the Kodiaq's off-road abilities are enhanced by the addition of an electronic differential lock, hill-hold and hill-descent control, underbody and engine protection, and overall 194mm ground clearance.

The features list also expands to ambient LED interior lighting, steel pedals, Alcantara seats and trim, and front and rear park assist, in addition to the multiple drive modes.

The initial Kodiaq range in Australia will comprise one powertrain, a 2.0-litre petrol-powered 132TSI variant, before the likely arrival of a 140kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel version later in the year.

Both powertrains are expected to be part of the Sportline and Scout range when they are eventually offered in Australia.

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