What's the news?
Skoda is launching a more off-road-y version of its off-roader that very few (if any) people will ever take off-road. It's the new Skoda Kodiaq Scout.
Exterior
As with other Skoda Scout models, the Kodiaq Scout gets some extra body protection panels, picked out in silver highlights, to protect the lower parts of the body and under the engine and radiator. Those are joined by rather stylish 19-inch alloy wheels and, for the Scout, all-wheel drive is standard (it's optional on more regular Kodiaqs). The Scout also gets silver highlighting for the mirror caps, the radiator grille and the roof rails.
Interior
Inside, there is lots of Alcantara trim, a ten-colour ambient lighting system and the Driving Mode Select system that has Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, Individual and Snow settings. The top-of-the-range infotainment option, the Columbus navigation system, has a 9.2-inch screen, a Wi-Fi hotspot and an LTE mobile internet module. The automatic Emergency Call function comes as standard.
Mechanicals
The Scout will be available with four engine choices - a 1.4 TSI 150hp petrol, a 2.0 TSI 180hp petrol and 150hp and 190hp 2.0-litre TDI diesels. The four-wheel drive system is a development of the Haldex clutch-based setup as seen in the Yeti and the Octavia Scout. It's predominantly front-wheel drive, but Skoda says that it can react fast enough and divert torque to the rear wheels so that "loss of traction is virtually eliminated."
For proper off-roading, Skoda points out that the Kodiaq Scout has a ground clearance of 194mm, and approach and departure angles of 22.0 and 23.1 degrees respectively. There's also an electronic differential lock and if you've fitted them the optional DCC adaptive dampers adjust their stiffness to allow for rougher terrain.
Anything else?
Safety is also high on the Scout's agenda - buyers get Trailer Assist, Blind Spot Detect (which warns of any vehicles in the blind spot) and Rear Traffic Alert, which monitors traffic coming from the sides and behind when manoeuvring. The Crew Protect Assist function, which closes windows and the sunroof in the event of an impending accident and tensions the seat belts of the front passengers, works in conjunction with the improved Front Assist system, which includes the City Emergency Brake and predictive Pedestrian Protection functions. The surround-view camera has also been updated, as has the self-parking system.
The Kodiaq Scout will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.