Skoda Kodiaq name confirmed for seven-seat SUV

The SUV is said to be named after the Kodiak bear, around 3,500 of which live on Kodiak Island, off the coast of Alaska alongside around 14,000 human inhabitants.

According to Skoda, in the native language of the Alutiiq people, the Kodiak bear is called Taq uka 'aq. The final being 'q' being a common characteristic of animal names in that language.

The Skoda Kodiaq will be around 4.7 metres long and, at least in some variants, will be equipped with seven seats. The new Kodiaq will be considerably larger than the existing Yeti crossover, which only measures 4222mm from head to tail.

Based on the Volkswagen Group's MQB component matrix for front- and all-wheel drive vehicles, the Kodiaq will be powered by a selection of turbocharged four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.

Styling is expected to be similar to the Vision S concept (below) that was unveiled at this year's Geneva motor show.

Australia

Skoda says that the Kodiaq will make its public debut in its production form during the second half of 2016, probably at the Paris motor show at the beginning of October. However, the Kodiaq won't hit European showrooms until early 2017.

This means that the Kodiaq is likely to be launched down under around mid to late 2017.

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