Skoda Kodiaq 2019 News

Skoda Australia has vowed to stick with its premium focus despite reports from Europe suggesting the Czech-brand would be skewed downmarket.

Skoda Australia has set its sights on the performance SUV market with confirmation that its hot Kodiaq RS high-rider will be offered in local showrooms, complete with a full-fat 176kW/500Nm 2.0-litre twin-turbo-diesel powertrain.

After a couple of teasers, Skoda has finally revealed its apprentice-built Mountiaq ute.Based on the Kodiaq SUV, the Mountiaq (or ‘mountain Kodiaq’) was developed by 35 students from the Skoda Vocational School for Mechanical Engineering and took over 2000 hours over the past eight months to create. The Mountiaq is the sixth vehicle built by the company as part its vocational program, and there is currently no production intent for the car - though it’s not hard to see Skoda producing something similar to it in the future. Heavily reworked from the Kodiaq on which it was based, the Mountiaq’s cabin is significantly shorter and ends behind the front seats. The rear was totally reshaped to accommodate an illuminated pick-up bed and a fully functioning tailgate.The Mountiaq also features a number of off-road parts including an LED light bar on the roof, 17-inch wheels with off-road tyres, an air intake snorkel, winch and bullbar. The suspension was lifted 10cm to further increase off-road ability. Inside the Mountiaq is fitted out with more off-road kit - there is a pair of radios, an integrated refrigerator and an illuminated Skoda logo in the headliner. The exterior’s orange and black colour theme continues through to the cabin, with black upholstery with orange highlights featuring. Under the bonnet of the Mountiaq is the standard Kodiaq’s 132kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, matched to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.Previous apprentice-built cars from Skoda include the Sunroq (a Karoq convertible) in 2018, the Element in 2017 (an electric Citigo), the Atero in 2016 (a Rapid-based coupe), the Funstar (a Fabia pick up truck) in 2015 and the Citijet (a Citigo convertible) in 2014.

Skoda has continued to tease its apprentice-built Mountiaq ute ahead of a global reveal next month.Based on the Kodiaq SUV but with a very different exterior style, including just two doors and a large rear tray, the Mountiaq is painted in a new ‘Sunset Orange’ paint finish. Skoda will fit the Mountiaq with many off-road accessories including a bull bar at the front, backlit grille bars, an LED light bar on the roof and 17-inch wheels with huge off-road tyres to further enhance the car’s stance. The Mountiaq is the sixth car Skoda has let its apprentices create after the Sunroq (a Karoq convertible) in 2018, the Element in 2017 that was based on an electric Citigo, the Atero in 2016 (a Rapid-based coupe), the Funstar (a Fabia pick up truck) in 2015 and the Citijet (a Citigo convertible) in 2014.Skoda is yet to reveal pictures of the interior, though it says it will be covered in black and orange leather upholstery. Under the bonnet is the same 132kW 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine as the regular Kodiaq. So far, the Mountiaq has taken more than 2000 hours to create.

Yes, Australia's new-car market has mostly been a tale of doom and gloom in 2019, but there are some brands that defied the shrinking market to post record sales results in March.

The go-fast Kodiaq RS is inching closer to debut, with Skoda today confirming more details ahead of its official unveiling at the Paris Motor Show next month.

Skoda's go-fast Kodiaq RS has been officially teased ahead of its Paris Motor Show reveal.