That Skoda is planning to launch a new SUV should come as no surprise to regular readers of this site. Volkswagen’s Czech brand previewed its arrival in with the VisionS concept in Geneva a few months ago, and we’ve seen prototypes for the production version undergoing testing twice now. What you see here, though, could be our best look at the upcoming crossover yet.
Set to wear the name Kodiaq, the new model is slated to slot in above the Yeti as Skoda’s biggest model yet. As you can see, the three-row crossover’s design will follow fairly closely to that of the concept, with sharp creases, a strong shoulder line extending to the C-shaped LED taillights.
The shape was spearheaded by Skoda’s chief designer Jozef Kaban, who previously headed up exterior design at Audi and styled the bodywork on the Bugatti Veyron before moving to Mlada Boleslav. It draws its inspiration from Czech crystal glasswork, with delicate but bold lines, stretched over a long wheelbase with short overhangs for superior proportions and maximized interior space.
Though we can’t see inside the cabin just yet, Skoda promises that “the interior continues the striking design of the exterior,” with strong design elements and large infotainment displays split between driver and front-seat passenger. The manufacturer has scheduled the Kodiaq’s debut for September, so we can expect to see it at the upcoming Paris Auto Salon.
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