Skoda Kodiaq features on India website ahead of launch; open for bookings

Skoda is expected to launch its seven-seater SUV, the Kodiaq in India by July this year. Ahead of its launch in the Indian market, the SUV has been listed on the Czesh carmaker's India website, confirming its arrival.

The emerging reports also reveal that the dealers of Skoda have started accepting the booking for the soon-to-be-launched SUV with a down-payment of Rs 1 lakh. The model is open for registration on the website.

The Kodiaq is expected to be offered in both 5-seater and 7-seater configurations and is speculated to be pegged in the range of Rs 28 to 33 lakh. To be squared off against Toyota Fortuner and Ford Endeavour, the SUV is built on Volkswagen Group's modular transverse matrix (MQB).

Globally, the Skoda Kodiaq gets choice of five engines: two TDIs and three TSIs. While the engines in the range of 1.4-litre to 2.0-litre will develop power output from 123bhp to 189bhp, the most powerful petrol engine, the 2.0-litre TSI, will develop 177bhp. The most powerful diesel engine, the 2.0-TDI will be tuned to generate 189bhp. In India, the SUV is expected get 2.0 litre diesel engine coupled to seven-speed DSG automatic transmission. All engines of the Kodiaq features engine Stop-Start system and brake energy recovery.

Skoda Kodiaq is 4,697mm long, 1,882mm wide, 1,667mm tall and has a 2,791mm wheelbase and will be available in a choice of 14 paint finishes. Expected to be offered in three trim levels – Active, Ambition and Style, the Kodiaq is expected to include Touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone automatic climate control, engine start/stop function, electric driver seat and many more. On the safety front, expect Kodiaq to pack six airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD).