If you’re in the market for a performance-oriented compact crossover, then you may want to wait a bit before making a deposit, because the Skoda Kodiaq RS (or vRS in the U.K.) is finally happening.
The model was officially confirmed by Skoda in a few official images and a video, which show a prototype in the hands of none other than Sabine Schmitz.
The Nurburgring Queen got the chance to see what the Skoda Kodiaq RS is made of on the famous German track. And she wasn’t alone in this adventure, as she had Frantisek Drabek acting as a co-driver, the man in charge of the Kodiaq RS project.
Skoda won’t drop any engine specifications or performance numbers just yet, but promises to reveal the rest of the ‘Ring story this Thursday. We don’t know if that’s when they plan to celebrate its online presentation, too, so we’ll just have to wait and see. It’s likely to make its first public presence at the 2018 Paris Auto Show in October.
Spy photo debut
In addition to the official pictures, we also got our hands today on a slew of spy shots that could trick some into thinking that it’s the Sportline model. However, they would be wrong, because parts of the front and rear bumpers have black vinyl wraps to try and hide the subtle differences, and the large exhaust tips appear to be very real this time.
Elsewhere, the final production version might also get the black treatment on the grille, with the mandatory RS badging, on the roof rails and probably other parts of the exterior, alongside dark lighting units on both ends.
The cabin isn’t visible in the first scoops, but it will likely come with special black trim, just like the Octavia RS, contrast stitching and highlights, and the typical RS / vRS badging.
Diesel power
It’s been rumored that Skoda will use a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engine from the Euro-spec Volkswagen Passat for the Kodiaq RS. If that’s indeed the case, then it could get a boost over the Passat’s 240PS (237hp / 177kW) and more than 500Nm (369lb-ft) of torque, channeled to both axles through a DSG transmission. A gasoline engine – likely based on the Octavia RS / VW Golf GTI’s 245PS 2.0-liter turbocharged four, hasn’t been ruled out, yet.
As Skoda chose not to make the Fabia RS anymore, for financial reasons, the Kodiaq RS will be the second member of the firm’s performance-oriented family, after the Octavia RS.