Skoda’s usual values of space and practicality could be left aside when it comes to a new stylish vehicle, based on the recently unveiled Kodiaq SUV.
The sportier version of the Kodiaq is definitely on the automaker’s ‘to do’ list for the European market, according to AutoExpress, which is citing the brand’s chief, Bernhard Maier.
“The coupe SUV is a wonderful derivative. We are going to make the brand even more emotional“, Maier said.
Skoda had already green lit a coupe derivative of the Kodiaq for the Chinese market, which will be assembled locally. It would love to have it at its European dealerships, but first it must ensure it has an adequate production capacity – and that’s no easy feat.
“We would like to have this car in Europe, yes. The real problem is that we do not have the capacity to build everything that we would like to build“, added R&D Board Member Christian Strube. “There would be a really big potential for that car [Kodiaq Coupe]. It’s not a question of potential; I think there is a business case. It’s a question of capacity in our factories. We’re no selling so many cars that we’re discussing where we would be able to build this car.”
As for the coupe-ish SUV, this is expected to gain a sloping roofline, sweptback profile, a front end inspired by the Superb, and large wheels, on top of an interior familiar to other models made by Skoda, and possibly influenced by several VW Group vehicles. It should be offered solely as a five-seater, with a bigger boot capacity over its main rivals, and a wide range of petrol and diesel engines, mated to manual and DSG automatic transmissions. GreenLine and plug-in hybrid versions are also being weighed.