Skoda students develop Mountiaq ute concept
BY ROBBIE WALLIS | 7th Jun 2019
SKODA has let its team of apprentices loose on an eight-month project that has culminated in the Mountiaq concept – a rough-road pick-up concept based on the Kodiaq SUV.
The sixth student-developed concept from Skoda in as many years, the Mountiaq was developed by a team of 35 apprentices from the Skoda Vocational School as the final project for the year.
An off-road enhanced take on the Kodiaq, the Skoda apprentices raised the ground clearance of the Mountiaq by 10cm over the Kodiaq Scout to 29cm, aided by the fitment of 17-inch Rockstar II wheels and chunky all-terrain rubber. Track width has also been increased by 3cm.
Its off-road prowess is also evident in a number of accessories including a snorkel that feeds into the top of the bonnet instead of the side, a nudge bar equipped with a winch, a roof-mounted LED light bar, black sports bar, running boards, and modified front and rear bumpers.
While the Kodiaq takes the form of a five-door SUV, the Mountiaq has been chopped behind the B-pillar to form a two-door pick-up fitted with a loading bed equipped with checker-plate steel.
Underneath the bed floor lies a hidden storage compartment, while the fitment of a tub-style tailgate proved to be one of the largest challenges for the students.
Numerous lighting elements are used, including LED strips in the load bed, under the bonnet for inspecting the engine bay at night, the radiator grille and integrated into the badge on the bonnet.
Inside, the roof has been fitted with a series of LED lights that project a motif of the Skoda badge, while a number of other highlights set the interior apart.
The striking Sunset Orange paint finish applied to the exterior has also been dotted through the cabin, applied on the gear shifter, top of the steering wheel and on the trim on the floor mats.
Audiophiles will appreciate the Columbus sound system with 320-watt speakers, a 2000-watt amplifier and 2000-watt subwoofer, while an integrated fridge helps keep drinks cold.
The Mountiaq is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 140kW and an unspecified amount of torque, most likely 320Nm given the outputs of other 2.0 TSI Volkswagen Group engines.
Given its off-road prowess, it is likely to use the off-road traction control system found on other Skoda Scout models as well.
The Mountiaq is the sixth concept developed by Skoda students following the Citigo-based Citijet in 2014, the 2015 Funstar pick-up, the Atero coupe in 2016, the 2017 all-electric Element and last year’s Sunroq, a convertible version of the Karoq SUV.
Head of Skoda Academy Carsen Brandes said projects like the Mountiaq is a great way of demonstrating the technical chops of its students.
“Like its predecessor models, the Skoda Mountiaq highlights the exceptional technical competence and craftsmanship of our students,” he said.
“Year after year, their work demonstrates the superior quality of the professional training at our vocational school.”
