2019 Skoda Kodiaq RS

The Škoda Kodiaq RS is the first SUV in Škoda’s sporty RS family and also the new spearhead of the Czech car manufacturer’s SUV campaign. The performance model is powered by the most powerful production diesel engine in Škoda history with a power output of 176 kW (240 PS). It demonstrated its capabilities with a record lap time of 9 minutes 29.84 seconds on the toughest race track in the world – the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife. The performance SUV is the first Škoda to also feature Dynamic Sound Boost for a particularly emotive engine note. The Škoda Kodiaq RS comes with all-wheel drive as standard. It provides everything the ever-growing target group for powerful SUVs could wish for thanks to its exceptional dynamics both on and off the road as well as its particularly bold appearance. It uniquely combines a modern lifestyle with sportiness; the efficient and powerful diesel engine impresses with its sustainability. With the perfect mix of a dynamic driving experience and excellent suitability for daily use, the Kodiaq RS is the first SUV to combine the distinguishing qualities of all the Škoda RS models.

It is not just the brand’s most powerful diesel production engine and Dynamic Sound Boost, which provides a particularly striking sound, that are making their debuts in the new Škoda Kodiaq RS. It is also the first time a Škoda features 20-inch Xtreme alloy wheels as standard. Furthermore, the range of standard equipment includes full-LED headlights and LED tail lights. Selected body elements in gloss black underpin the sporty appearance of the Škoda Kodiaq RS. In addition to the engine, the 7-speed DSG and intelligent all-wheel drive also contribute to the dynamic driving characteristics; progressive steering as standard ensures particularly safe and agile handling. Furthermore, the sporty RS also offers all the advantages of the large Škoda SUV. In addition to its spacious boot, the Škoda Kodiaq RS provides plenty of room for five or seven occupants, depending on the chosen version. It offers the latest technology for infotainment and connectivity. The car features a Wi-Fi hotspot and enables access to the Škoda Connect services. And in Škoda-typical style, the Kodiaq RS also makes everyday driving that little bit easier with numerous Simply Clever features.

The engine of the Škoda Kodiaq RS is a new milestone in the history of the brand from Mladá Boleslav, which spans more than 120 years. With its power output of 176 kW (240 PS) and maximum torque of 500 Nm, the engine exclusively available in the new performance SUV is the most powerful diesel engine used in a Škoda production vehicle to date. The core of the Škoda Kodiaq RS’s powerful 2.0 TDI is its two-stage biturbo technology. The 2-litre engine features two complementary turbochargers connected in series. The first is a high-pressure exhaust gas turbocharger with a small turbine, a small compressor wheel and electronic turbine blade adjustment. This structure allows for an immediate response, even at lower engine speeds. The second turbo is a low-pressure charger. With its large turbine and compressor wheel, it achieves a considerably higher boost pressure of up to 3.8 bar at high engine speeds, which increases the engine output considerably. At lower engine speeds, the chargers work in two stages. The low-pressure charger is responsible for the pre-compression of the air drawn in; the high-pressure charger is responsible for the main compression. At high engine speeds, only the low-pressure charger is used in single-stage operation. Structured in this way, the turbo system guarantees continuous power output with a short reaction time and high peak values.

Thanks to the biturbo technology, the 2.0 TDI already delivers its maximum torque of 500 Nm between 1,750 and 2,500 rpm; the peak power output is 176 kW (240 PS). This gives the Škoda Kodiaq RS great driving performance. The all-wheel-drive SUV accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds (five-seater) and has a top speed of 221 km/h. The 2.0 TDI is powerful, yet extremely efficient. Average fuel consumption is just 6.4 litres of diesel per 100 km, which equates to CO2 emissions of 167 g/km. The Škoda Kodiaq RS is fitted with an oxidation catalytic converter and a diesel particulate filter directly on the engine as well as an SCR catalytic converter for exhaust gas treatment and fulfils the Euro 6d-TEMP emission standards. Škoda’s decision to use a diesel engine for a high-performance vehicle such as the Kodiaq RS is justified by its numerous advantages. The target group for large SUVs such as the Škoda Kodiaq is cost-conscious. Thanks to the low consumption of 6.4 litres per 100 km, running costs remain below those of a comparable petrol engine despite the high level of driving performance, and CO2 emissions are considerably lower.

A dynamic car needs a sporty sound. That’s why, in the Kodiaq RS; Dynamic Sound Boost is used for the first time in a Škoda. Dynamic Sound Boost is a system that modulates the sound of the car. The dedicated control unit for this system reads CAN bus signals such as the engine speed, torque, selected gear and speed. It calculates a specific signal using complex algorithms. The actuator, which is positioned close to the exhaust tailpipe, produces an ‘artificial’ sound based on these signals, and interferes with and supplements the original note of the exhaust system to create an emotive and sporty sound. Just like the Dynamic Chassis Control, the three sounds available in the Škoda Kodiaq RS are coupled with Driving Mode Select. In Comfort mode, the Kodiaq RS has a soft and reserved sound; in Normal and Snow mode it is considerably more dynamic. By choosing Sport mode, the SUV’s performance takes on a particularly powerful note accordingly. In Individual mode, the driver can choose the tone to suit their individual preferences. In Eco mode, Dynamic Sound Boost produces no additional sound, and the car sounds very quiet.

With its intelligent all-wheel drive as standard, the Škoda Kodiaq RS is perfectly equipped for a wide variety of needs on- and off-road as well as for all weather conditions. The SUV has an output of 176 kW (240 PS) and the power is transferred variably to all four wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DSG). The settings for the dampers are automatically adjusted to suit the driving conditions or the respective terrain at any time using Dynamic Chassis Control, which also comes as standard. With its generously sized dual clutch, the 7-speed DSG has been specially designed for use with powerful engines such as the Škoda Kodiaq RS’s biturbo diesel and its maximum torque of 500 Nm. It transfers the power gently and comfortably or with the lightning-fast speed of a sportscar without losing any traction and to suit the conditions and the selected driving mode. The driver can allow the gearbox to automatically change gear or they can select the gears manually – also using steering wheel paddles.