The new car will arrive in Ireland in February 2017, and Skoda Ireland’s Ray Leddy says they expect to sell 1,000 units in the first year. “It’s a totally new segment for us, so it’s very hard to make an accurate forecast,” he said. “And we may be restricted by supply for the initial period.”
The Kodiaq is based on the Vision S Concept shown at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year.
The vehicle will target a segment which in Ireland is hotly contested by the Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia’s Sorento, and the Land Rover Discovery Sport. The Kodiaq may also target, in 5-seat format, compact SUV leaders like the Toyota RAV 4, Ford Kuga, and models from the company’s Volkswagen parent as well as from Nissan and Mazda. Given the way Skoda has succeeded before in several segments by being a little larger than the perceived competitors, this may well work in a similar way for the Kodiaq.
Power will be from a 1.4 and 2.o TSI petrol engines, with 125/150hp outputs respectively, and 2.0 diesel engines of 150hp and 190hp and a 115hp available later in 2018. There are options of 6-speed manualand 7-speed DSG automatic in transmissions.
Road tax is from €280, in the 150hp 2.0 diesel with DSG. Prices for Ireland, however, won’t be available until nearer the launch.
The event display included the heavily disguised one used to lead in the riders at the end of this year’s Tour de France, with Stephen Roche, who spoke at the launch. “A Tour de France without Skoda, would not really be a Tour de France,” he said, referencing the longtime support of the competition by the brand. He's pictured below with Ray Leddy.
