Skoda is working on a new compact SUV named ‘Karoq’, set to be unveiled in Stockholm on 18 May. The name Karoq is a combination of the terms “KAA’RAQ” (car) and “RUQ” (arrow), and has been derived from the language of Alaska’s indigenous people, says Skoda. The Alutiiq tribe who live in the remote archipelago off the southern coast of Alaska use the term “RUQ” for arrow, the symbol that constitutes the central element of Skoda’s logo.
According to several media reports, the Karoq is a replacement for Yeti, although Skoda doesn’t mention that in its official press release. The compact SUV will be built on the MQB platform, and will be a sister model of VW Tiguan and Seat Ateca. There will be five engines on offer, both TSI and TDI. Skoda talks about the features too, these include five driving modes and a special off-road mode, infotainment with capacitive touch screen in glass design, Care Connect for assistance, full LED headlights and digital instrument panel.
The top-end infotainment systems Columbus and Amundsen will have a WLAN hotspot. An optional LTE module is available for the Columbus system. There’s also a Skoda Connect app, which can be used to remotely check, configure and find the car via a smartphone. The SmartLink+ platform, compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink, is available as an option for the basic infotainment system Swing. SmartLink+ comes as standard with higher infotainment systems. The phone box with inductive charging couples the smartphone to the roof antenna and simultaneously charges it wirelessly.
Driver assistance systems will include parking assistant, lane assist, traffic-jam assistant, blind spot detect, front assist with predictive pedestrian protection and emergency assistant.
The SUV measures 4,382 mm in length, 1,841 mm in width, and 1,605 mm in height. Wheelbase measures 2,638 mm (4WD version – 2,630 mm). The luggage compartment has a capacity of 521 litres with the back seats in place. With the rear seats folded down, the volume increases to 1,630 litres. In combination with the optional VarioFlex rear seat, the boot space is variable and can hold between 479 and 588 litres. The seats can also be completely removed, and the SUV becomes a van with a maximum loading capacity of 1,810 litres.
Five engine variants – two petrol and three diesel engines are on offer. The two petrol engines and two diesels are new in the line-up. The displacement ranges are 1.0, 1.5, 1.6 and 2.0 litres; the power ranges from 85 kW (115 hp) to 140 kW (190 hp). All drivetrains are turbo-charged direct injection units and feature start-stop technology and brake energy recovery. With the exception of the most powerful diesel, all drivetrains can be ordered with a 6-speed manual gearbox or 7-speed DSG. The 2.0 TDI with 140 kW (190 hp) comes as standard with 4×4 drive and 7-speed DSG. The new 1.5 TSI has the special feature of cylinder deactivation.
With the equipment line Ambition and higher, a driving profile selection with the modes Normal, Sport, Eco, Individual and Snow (4×4) is available on request. The new compact SUV’s market launch is set for the second half of 2017.
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