The specifications for the Skoda Karoq SUV have been revealed ahead of its official debut on 18 May. This is a new SUV from the Czech automaker and will be positioned below the Kodiaq. And just like the Kodiaq is an SUV alternate for Superb, we believe that the Karoq plays the same role for the Octavia one segment lower.
Firstly, the Karoq is 4.3-metres in length and has a wheelbase of 2.6-metres. It will be a five-seater vehicle, offered with flexible seats options to increase boot space which has been pegged at 521-litres with the seats up and 1630-litres with the seats folded down.
The feature list for the Karoq looks pretty comprehensive with things like touchscreen infotainment system, WLAN hotspot, climate control, park assist, lane assist, blind spot detection and for the first time, a fully programmable digital instrument cluster.
The Karoq will be offered in two petrol and three diesel engine options. Of these, the two petrol motors and two of the diesels are completely new. The petrols are in the capacity of 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre and are turbocharged and have direct injection. The diesels on the other hand are in the capacity of 1.6-litres and VW’s famed 2.0-litre diesel unit. With the exception of the most powerful version of the 2.0-litre diesel powertrain, all engine options can be had with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DSG. 4X4 is optional across certain engines but is standard on the 190bhp 2.0-litre diesel AT.
The Karoq will be unveiled at an event in Sweden on 18 May. We believe that it will come to India in 2018 and to keep it competitive in the D-segment (where it will be sloted) be locally assembled at Skoda’s plant in Aurangabad.