- ŠKODA Australia works with factory to change market ratings for Australian conditions
- KODIAQ RS available for order from late 2019
Sydney, 17th July 2019 – ŠKODA Australia today has confirmed that its Nürburgring, record-setting performance SUV, the seven-seat KODIAQ RS, has finally received factory approval for the Australian market, and will be available for order by the end of 2019.
The arrival of ŠKODA's most exciting performance model yet 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 says.
"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. 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. In 2018, German race driver and Nürburgring, 24 Hours winner, Sabine Schmidt, lapped the world famous Nordschleife in the KODIAQ RS, setting a new seven-seat SUV record of 9m 29.84sec.
Key highlights of the sporty model are unique 20-inch 'Xtreme' alloy wheels accented by red brake callipers, blacked-out mirrors, roof rails and grille with RS badging, premium leather interior with RS logo stitched in the front seat headrests, and ŠKODA's high definition digital cockpit.
Pricing and full specification will be available closer to local launch.
ŠKODA AUTO
- was founded during the pioneering days of the automobile in 1895, making it one of the longest-established automobile companies in the world.
- currently offers its customers nine passenger-car series: the CITIGO, FABIA, RAPID, SCALA, OCTAVIA, KAROQ, KODIAQ, as well as the KAMIQ and the SUPERB.
- delivered more than 1.25 million vehicles to customers around the world in 2018.
- has belonged to Volkswagen Group since 1991. The Volkswagen Group is one of the most successful vehicle manufacturers in the world. In association with the Group, ŠKODA AUTO independently develops and manufactures vehicles, as well as components such as engines and transmissions.
- operates at three locations in the Czech Republic; manufactures in China, Russia, Slovakia, Algeria and India mainly through Group partnerships, as well as in Ukraine and Kazakhstan with local partners.
- employs over 39,000 people globally and is active in more than 100 markets.
- is pressing ahead with the transformation from a traditional car manufacturer to the 'Simply Clever company for the best mobility solutions' as part of the ŠKODA 2025 Strategy.