213 HP Skoda Kodiaq By ABT Is No RS, But It’ll Have To Do If You Want More Oomph

The Kodiaq is the alpha male in Skoda’s range. It sits on top of their SUV family and shares its nuts and bolts with the Volkswagen Tiguan.

Clients looking for a punchier version of the Czech SUV currently have to make do with either a 2.0-liter TSI engine that generates 180PS (177hp / 132kW), or a 2.0-liter TDI diesel, rated at 190PS (187hp / 140kW).

Skoda has an RS (vRS in UK) derivative in the pipeline, but it’s still a couple of months away from being launched. It recently broke the Nurburgring lap record for the fastest 7-seat SUV with Sabine Schmitz driving it, and will go official at the 2018 Paris Auto Show this fall.

Also Watch: Should Skoda’s New Kodiaq Scare More Premium Rivals?

Meanwhile, owners of the Kodiaq in search of a bit more power can head to ABT Sportsline. The tuner has come up with new engine control units (ECUs), developed in-house, and aimed at models powered by the 2.0 TSI or 2.0 TDI engines.

For the 2.0-liter petrol unit, ABT says their upgrade lifts the output to 216PS (213hp / 159kW) and 360Nm (266lb-ft) of torque. Diesel fans get as much as 215PS (212hp / 158kW) and 440Nm (325lb-ft) of torque in the punchiest form, and the tuner has also taken care of the 150PS (148hp / 110kW) version of the oil burner, which now churns out 180PS (177hp /132kW) and 380Nm (280lb-ft) of torque.

A set of new wheels completes the package, with ABT offering four distinct patterns, from 18 to 21 inches in size and available in different finishes and fitted with new tires.