Geneva show: Skoda Kamiq confirmed for Australia
BY SPENCER LEECH | 27th Feb 2019
SKODA has revealed its all-new Kamiq compact SUV ahead of its public debut at the upcoming Geneva motor show, and has been confirmed for an Australian arrival next year in “late Q1, early Q2”.
The Kamiq continues the design language featured on the Kodiaq large SUV and Karoq mid-sizer, with smaller, boxier proportions to take aim at a “new, younger target group” for the Czech brand.
Skoda’s signature wide grille with double slats dominates the front end, however, the Kamiq debuts a split head-light design with daytime running lights intended to look like glistening gemstones.
The crystalline theme continues on the inside with a newly designed cabin, which Skoda says will shape its style for future models.
Infotainment is displayed on a 9.2-inch screen, and a 10.25 optional Virtual Cockpit digital cluster is available.
The vehicle measure 4241mm long, 1793mm wide, with a height of 1531mm and a wheelbase of 2651mm.
Passengers will benefit from 73mm of knee room and a 400-litre boot capacity which increases to 1395L with the rear seats stowed.
It has yet to be confirmed how Skoda’s local wing will specify the Kamiq, however, the vehicle will be manufactured with five engine options starting with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine tuned to produce 70kW and 175Nm, matched with a five-speed manual gearbox.
An up-rated version of the same donk delivers 85kW and 200Nm, with a six-speed manual as standard and with an optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Next up, a 1.5-litre four-cylinder motor delivers 110kW/250Nm and features cylinder deactivation to conserve fuel.
A diesel-sipping 85kW/250Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine is fitted with an SCR catalytic converter with AdBlue injection and a diesel particulate filter as standard, and can be coupled with either the six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic shifter.
For particular markets, Skoda will offer its 66kW/145Nm 1.0-litre G-Tec motor which is designed to run on natural gas, generating lower CO2 and Nox emissions compared to conventional fuels.
Customers looking for a more dynamic drive can tick the Sport Chassis Control option box which lowers the car by 10mm, adds a ‘Sport’ driving mode, and adds stiffer shock absorbers.
Driver assistance systems extend to autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with cyclist and pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, driver fatigue monitoring as well as an optional Crew Protect Assist system which closes any open windows and pre-tensions front seat belts when a collision is imminent.
Skoda’s ‘Simply Clever’ technology includes door-edge protection that deploys automatically when the doors are opened, an electric tailgate, a removable LED torch and an electrically retractable tow bar.
Local pricing has yet to be revealed, however, it is expected that the Kamiq will be less expensive than its larger SUV siblings including the Karoq ($29,990 plus on-road costs) and Kodiaq ($42,990).
