The long-anticipated Skoda Kamiq small SUV has been made its debut, ahead of a full public unveiling at the Geneva motor show next week.
The Kamiq joins the Czech brand’s lineup as their smallest SUV ever. It’s based on the same MQB A0 platform as the Scala hatch and Volkswagen T-Cross/SEAT Arona SUVs, measuring 4241mm long, 1793mm wide and 1531mm tall, with a 2651mm wheelbase.
Visually, it’s based on the Vision X concept revealed at last year’s Geneva motor show. Up front, there’s a split headlight design with seperate LED daytime running lights, along with a skid plate esque insert at the bottom of the bumper. At the rear, the traditional Skoda emblem has been replaced with ‘S K O D A’ spelled out along the tailgate – it sits between two C-shaped LED tail-lights. Depending on the variant, wheels sized between 16 and 18 inches fill the large wheelarches.
Inside, the Kamiq’s cabin looks a lot like that of the related Scala hatch. Dominating the dashboard is a 9.2-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which is complemented by a 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster positioned in front of the driver. Features available on top-spec models include LED ambient cabin lighting, microfibre sports seats, satellite navigation and a ten-speaker sound system.
Skoda claims there’s 400 litres of boot space on offer with the second row in place, which expands to 1395 litres with it folded.
Five powertrains will be available at launch. The entry-level engine is a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder, available in 70kW/175Nm or 85kW/200Nm tunes. The former is available solely with a five-speed manual, while the latter gets the choice of a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG automatic. The top-spec petrol engine is a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, which sends 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque to the wheels through a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG.
Buyers looking for a more frugal engine can opt for a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-disel, which features AdBlue and produces 85kW/250Nm – six-speed manual and seven-speed DSG options are available.
All Kamiqs are front-wheel-drive only.
Skoda is also offering a 1.0-litre three-cylinder that runs on compressed natural gas (CNG) – it produces 66kW and 160Nm, and is available solely using a six-speed manual.
Safety techology available on the Kamiq range includes AEB, adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, reversing camera, automated parking and nine airbags.
The Skoda Kamiq goes on sale in Europe later this year, following a public debut at the Geneva motor show next week. An Australian launch is scheduled for the first quarter of 2020, shortly after the Scala.
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