Škoda Holds True to ICE for Facelift Kodiaq

Paul Myles

TU-Editor

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13th April 2021

Škoda sticks with pure ICE technology with the facelifted new Kodiaq mid-sized SUV with no hint as to whether an electrified powertrain will yet join the line-up.

Instead, the automaker makes great play over its latest innovations to clean up the emissions of both its two diesel and three gasoline offerings. Johannes Neft, Škoda board member responsible for technical development, said: “The EVO engines in the Kodiaq combine superior power delivery with increased efficiency and lower CO2 and NOx emissions. The ‘twin dosing’ method of exhaust gas treatment applied in the diesel engines lowers nitrogen oxide emissions by roughly 80 %, while the petrol engines’ fuel consumption is reduced thanks to an injection pressure of up to 350 bar, among other things. In the Kodiaq RS, we are, for the first time, employing a petrol engine that, being more powerful and yet lighter, makes our sporty range-topping model even more dynamic.”

The entry-level engine is the 147bhp 1.5-liter TSI with cylinder deactivation. This is the only one to be combined with a manual six-speed gearbox and front wheel drive. The four-cylinder 2.0-liter TDI delivers the same performance but is coupled with a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission and offers the choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive. All the other versions of the new car have all-wheel drive and DSG transmission.

The more powerful diesel engine is a 2.0-liter TDI claims and output of 196bhp while the mid-range 2.0-liter TSI gasoline engine boasts 188bhp. Top of the range is the RS version with another 2.0-liter TSI engine boosted to deliver a claimed 240bhp some 4bhp more than its diesel RS predecessor. In addition, the new gasoline engine is 132lbs lighter, with a further 11.4lbs stripped from the new DSG transmission.

— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_