Leaked Photos Help Solve 2019 Skoda Kodiaq RS Puzzle

After countless official teasers, we finally get to see the Skoda Kodiaq RS’ exterior completely uncensored.

The photos don’t come from Skoda, though — at least not directly. Russian website Autoreview has leaked some of the official pics, and we came across them via Motor1.

There are no big surprises, really, when it comes to the design of the new Kodiaq RS performance SUV. It’s a regular Kodiaq fitted with an RS body kit on the outside and RS interior goodies.

The exterior features standard 20-inch “Xtreme” alloys shod with 235/45 R20 tires, LED headlights (also standard), and gloss black treatment for the front grille, a light strip spanning the entire width of the rear end, as well as more aggressive bumpers. Furthermore, the standard chrome trim of the regular Kodiaq is black on RS models.

Inside, the fast seven-seat SUV gains new sports seats with integrated head restraints and suede upholstery, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, and aluminum pedals. The cabin is spiced up with red stitching on the seats, steering wheel, gearshift lever gaiter, and door panels.

Other goodies that are standard on the Kodiaq RS include the virtual instrument cluster, which offers an additional Sport mode, and the Dynamic Sound Boost system which will trick the passengers into thinking the engine sounds better than it actually does.

Speaking of the engine, it’s the most powerful production diesel unit ever fitted to a Skoda. We’re talking about the 2.0-liter TDI biturbo unit that makes 240 PS (237 hp) and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque. It’s linked to a seven-speed DSG double-clutch automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system with rear axle coupling.

Performance specs aren’t available yet, but the VW Tiguan Allspace equipped with the same engine covers the 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint in 6.7 seconds and tops out at 228 km/h (142 mph). Similar numbers should apply to the Kodiaq RS as well.

Skoda will start selling the performance SUV across Europe shortly after its Paris Auto Show debut.