THE arrival of its most exciting performance model yet, the KODIAQ RS, is the result of countless hours of work by ŠKODA’s Australian technical team, who collaborated with the factory in the Czech Republic to reset the market’s technical category for Australia.
Previously designated as a ‘hot and dusty’ climate, Australia has now been reclassified as ‘moderately hot country’, making the KODIAQ RS a reality.
“Since its launch, we have been working tirelessly to bring the KODIAQ RS to our shores,” ŠKODA Australia director Michael Irmer said.
“The project to bring the high-performance bi-turbo diesel-powered KODIAQ RS has seen collaboration between Australian and Czech technical teams sharing data and know-how,” he added.
“It is because of their shared passion for the ŠKODA brand, and this exciting car, that we can finally offer an RS-spec SUV.”
The first ŠKODA SUV to bear the RS name, the KODIAQ RS is powered by a potent 176kW/500Nm 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine capable of 0-100km/h in seven seconds. The 4×4 is mated to a 7-speed DSG trasmission.
In 2018, German race driver and Nurburgring, 24 Hours winner, Sabine Schmidt, lapped the world famous Nordschleife in the KODIAQ RS, setting a new seven-seat SUV record of 9 minutes 29.84 seconds.
Key highlights of the sporty model include unique 20-inch ‘Xtreme’ alloy wheels accented by red brake calipers, blacked-out mirrors, roof rails and grille with RS badging, and a premium leather interior with the RS logo stitched in the front seat headrests.
