Skoda Karoq
Quick VRS SUV under consideration
New Karoq replaces the Yeti and goes on sale later this year
Skoda chiefs believe the new Karoq compact SUV could become the firm’s best-selling model — and they are evaluating the development of a hot VRS version.
The new car is the second Skoda SUV to have been launched within the past year, following the larger Kodiaq, and marque chiefs believe it is perfectly designed to exploit the segment’s explosive growth in Europe and China.
The Karoq replaces the Yeti as Skoda’s entry-level SUV. Speaking about the model’s sales potential, CEO Bernhard Maier said: “The Yeti sold 100,000 cars per year, 10% of global sales. We expect the Karoq to do more than that.
“I think we will sell, in Europe, more than 100,000 cars. In addition, our Chinese customers have given us positive feedback so there’s momentum in it.”
Maier said the decision to drop the Yeti name in favour of Karoq was primarily to link the car to Skoda’s larger SUV, but he did admit that sensitivity in the Chinese market was a factor (see ‘Q&A’, right).
The huge demand for SUVS in China is a key reason for the growth in the segment and the country is already one of Skoda’s largest markets.
Werner Eichhorn, Skoda’s sales and marketing head, said: “There are more than seven million SUVS sold worldwide now. With this car, we believe we’ve hit the sweet spot of the entry-level segment.
“Due to the strength we have gained with the Kodiaq, we can really encourage people to think about Skoda that never have thought about Skoda before. This is a car to conquest.”
Asked if the Karoq could become Skoda’s biggestselling model, Eichhorn said: “There is the potential. But for now, our key product is the Octavia: 450,000 of our 1.1 million cars sold last year were Octavia. But if the growth continues, the SUV
At its launch, the Karoq will be offered with a choice of two petrol and three diesel engines
sector has the potential to come close.”
The Karoq is built on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform and shares parts and technology with the similarly sized Volkswagen Tiguan and Seat Ateca. Indeed, the Ateca is built at the same Skoda Autos plant that will make the Karoq.
Skoda is aiming to differentiate the car in the burgeoning SUV market through advanced driver assistance and in-car technology, as well as with its interior space. The Karoq has a class-leading 521-litre boot and is available with optional Varioflex rear seats that can be completely removed, expanding its load-carrying capacity to 1810 litres.
At its launch, the Karoq will be offered with a choice of two petrol and three diesel engines, and with two or fourwheel drive. The petrol options are a 1.0-litre TSI threecylinder with 113bhp and a 1.5-litre TSI with 148bhp. The three diesel engines are a 1.6 TDI with 113bhp, a 2.0 TDI with 148bhp and a range-topping 186bhp 2.0 TDI.
Seat will shortly launch a performance Cupra version of the Ateca, and although Maier said a ‘hot’ VRS version of the Karoq is not currently under development, it is something that Skoda is considering.
“We have from our customer base very clear feedback that there is obviously a demand for having an SUV with our VRS logo as well, and that has all the ingredients which make the Skoda a VRS,” said Maier.
He also added that a hybrid version of the Karoq could eventually be developed as part of Skoda’s future electrification strategy but any such variant would not come until after the launch of a plug-in hybrid Superb in 2019.
Maier said: “The [MQB] platform is prepared for that, but there’s no decision made so far. Until we launch the plug-in Superb, we have enough opportunities to really check and balance what car is ready for the market at that time.”
Skoda has yet to confirm final UK pricing for the Karoq, which is due to go on sale towards the end of this year.