Czech Maker Skoda Gearing Up To Launch More Rugged 'Scout' Version of Kodiaq SUV

Czech automaker Skoda is famous for providing feature loaded options in the segment it is present in, and it does the same with their high-end Kodiaq SUV as well. Now there are reports that the brand is gearing up to bring the off-road focused version of the Kodiaq SUV in the Indian market. The off-road friendly version of the Kodiaq SUV is already sold in the global markets under the name of Skoda Kodiaq Scout. The reports indicate that the latest offering from the brand will lock horns with the likes of Toyota Fortuner and Jeep Compass Trailhawk in the Indian market. What may be put brakes on your dream of owning this car is the lack of a low-ratio transfer case in the Kodiaq Scout, a feature that often acts as a deal breaker for a lot of off-roading enthusiasts.

Nonetheless, the upcoming version of the Kodiaq SUV can then indeed be called a more rugged version of the otherwise feature loaded SUV. The reports indicate that the maker intends to launch the Kodiaq Scout around Diwali this year, a time when the sales of vehicles in the Indian market picks up. A launch in the end of October 2019 for the Skoda Kodiaq Scout can be expected safely. The Czech maker has already launched the even more feature loaded L&K edition of the Kodiaq in the Indian market. This new trim brings even more luxury features to the SUV.

The off-road credentials of the Kodiaq Scout will be boosted by an increased ground clearance, 194 mm to be precise. This increases the ground clearance of the Scout by as the Style or even L&K version of the SUV that the maker already sells in India come with a ground clearance of 188 mm. The increased ground clearance will also aid the Kodiaq Scout in enhancing the approach and departure angle of the SUV. The upcoming variant of the SUV will be an all-wheel drive vehicle but the Czech maker will also offer an off-road mode with the Scout trim. This will help the drivers enhance the off-roading capability of the vehicle. It handles with the throttle response and dampers of the SUV and also helps in holding the car which climbing up inclines or going down them. .

There are hopes that the Czech maker will not make any changes to the mechanical side of the SUV and the Scout will come with the same 2L diesel engine with an output of 150 PS and 340 Nm that one finds on the current trims of Kodiaq in the market. The transmission duties will be handled by a 7-speed DSG transmission. However, the maker may make some changes to the exterior of the vehicle to make it more rugged and distinguish it from other variants, as it already does in the global markets.