A peek into Skoda’s ambitious SUV strategy

Apart from the sensational Kodiaq SUV, Skoda has some more tricks up its sleeve for the future. An ambitious SUV-strategy will see the brand introduce a radical crossover coupé followed by the launch of the all-new Yeti. And to top it off, a compact-SUV could also be in the offing…

There comes a time in life when everybody has to face a ‘final’ graduation test in order to prove that they’re ready to start a new phase of life. Well, Skoda’s moment of truth has finally arrived – and it appears to be readying itself for this very test. Sure, the Czech automaker has been through ups and downs in the past, but as far as the brand’s appeal goes this is a big one. You see, surprisingly, there are still those who believe that the brand belongs to a faded legacy. In fact – barring India, where Skoda is usually perceived as a more premium brand than its parent company, VW – Skodas are often termed as being ‘cheap Volkswagens.’ The question is – can Skoda step out from under the shadow of its bigger brother? Well, now’s the time.

With Volkswagen still reeling from the diesel emissions scandal, which shook the entire automotive industry, it once seemed that Skoda, along with the group’s other subsidiaries, were destined for massive budget cuts and curtailed future operations. Fortunately, though, Skoda as a company seems to have come out of it unscathed. As a result, forthcoming Skodas will be designed ambitiously and with the aim of generating strong emotions – at least that’s what we’re told. And the brand ambassador of this new range will be a family of all-new sports utility vehicles, consisting of at least three new models – which will be nothing like the Skodas of yore. These new-age Skodas will be unveiled in October at the Paris Auto Show, when the Czech automaker will lift the veil from the much-anticipated Kodiaq SUV.

HIGH EXPECTATIONS

It’s not a coincidence that Skoda chose to launch an offensive with its future top model – the management considers the Kodiaq the SUV version of the Superb after all, underlining how high the expectations really are. This strategy is at the heart of Skoda’s plans to reach an annual sales figure of 1.5 million cars (in 2015, Skoda sold a record of 1.06 million units worldwide).

Measuring almost 4.8 meters in length, the Kodiaq is a size bigger than the company’s current SUV – the Yeti. And because it revives the stylistic lines of the Vision S concept, expect it to look the part as well. Expected in India by 2018, it’ll be available with the classic range of engines, along with both manual and DSG gearboxes in front-wheel or all-wheel drive configurations. There will also be, on request, a 7-seat version. And since the Kodiaq shares several traits with the Superb, they’ll both be built in the same factory initially. The top-of-the-line version could be priced well above the Superb – putting the brand in a whole new league. Expect a Sportline trim too, featuring visible exhausts tips and an aggressive look to complement the elegant Laurin & Klement variant.

WILL BE A-PLUS

China is undoubtedly going to be the Kodiaq’s biggest market (internal estimates indicate that 45% of sales will be absorbed by this market). For the coupe derivative of the Kodiaq things may differ slightly though. But Skoda has done its homework – the final green light for this project reportedly came only after carefully analysing the future economic outlook for this all-important Asian giant. And the company believes that its aggressive approach and edgy styling will pay off. The challenge will be to differentiate the coupe from the soon-to-be Skoda flagship SUV.

THE YETI EVOLUTION

Fast-forward to 2018, and the current Yeti will have already turned 9 years old by then. Needless to say, it’ll be time for a radical change. As good as the current model may be, truth be told, the looks are an acquired taste. Thankfully, it’ll be replaced by a real SUV – identifiable by its striking pair of headlights and a distinct front grille, which are soon to become the defining traits of all Skoda SUVs. But, at Skoda, there’s another secret project in the works – the conception of a compact SUV. As of now, though, this plan only exists on paper – but the enthusiasm that surrounds this line-up of machines could well push it towards execution.

PLUG-IN TECH FROM THE SUPERB
Skoda is set to introduce plug-in hybrid technology in its cars, but its immediate adoption in the Kodiaq seems unlikely. The hybrid tech will, of course, be installed under the hood of the Superb first – and it will concurrently make it to the brand’s other models. Considering the fact that the Vision S concept uses the same 1.4-litre TSI engine as the plug-in hybrid, you can’t rule out the possibility of an electrified version of the vehicle in the near future. The next-gen Skoda Octavia (expected around 2020) will also feature plug-in hybrid tech right from its debut.

Following in the footsteps of the Kodiaq, the Skoda A-Plus coupe-like variant will soon make its debut. And, as can be seen in the image above, it represents a very ambitious project for the company – distancing itself from the brand’s conservative principles. The visible exhaust tips will be reserved for Sportline versions, or even for the RS version.

The next-gen Yeti will mark a paradigm shift from the current model, which is to say goodbye to the slightly clumsy shape of the current generation. The new generation will look, from the outset, like a proper SUV. And, like the Octavia, it’ll be based on the MQB platform. It’s expected to hit showrooms sometime in 2018.

Details of the new Skoda compact-SUV are sparse, since it’s still awaiting approval. Its fate – as was the case for the entire SUV line-up – depends hugely on the evaluation of its success in China

© Riproduzione riservata

Also Read: Skoda VisionS concept previews new six-seater SUV