At the Paris Motor Show next month, Skoda will take the wraps off its new Kodiaq RS. And when it does, the Czech automaker’s first proper performance SUV looks like it’ll be as sporty on the inside as it will look from the outside.
The latest teasers for the Kodiaq RS show us what the cockpit will look like. And it looks like it’ll be a suitable environment from which to summon the performance the machine will have to offer.
The cabin is principally upholstered in grippy, lightweight Alcantara – all perforated and diamond-quilted with red contrast stitching. The seats will be heavily bolstered to keep driver and at least the first of the six additional occupants in place, the steering wheel will be nice and beefy for better control, and there’ll be plenty of faux-carbon trim, stainless steel pedals, and a black headliner – all of which adds up to a decidedly sportier look and feel from the standard Kodiaq.
The sportiest version of Skoda’s midsize crossover is expected to pack a 2.0-liter twin-turbo diesel four-cylinder engine good for 236 hp (176 kW) and about 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) of torque. Combined with the 20-inch wheels, beefed-up suspension, upgraded aero kit, and other enhancements, that’s already confirmed to be enough to make the Kodiaq RS the fastest seven-seat SUV ever to lap the Nürburgring. It clocked an impressive lap time of 9 minutes and 29.84 seconds at the Nordschleife this past May. And every indication is that it will be as quick on the road as it has proven on the most punishing of tracks.