2018 Skoda Karoq arrival advances to June
Anticipated delays prove a non-issue, as mid-size SUV arrival pulled forward
Skoda Australia has updated timing for the arrival of its hotly-anticipated Karoq, which is now set to touch down in June.
Earlier this month, Skoda's local communications boss, Paul Pottinger, said the mid-sized crossover would be here in September.
As it turns out, Skoda was anticipating a delay in supply, but the company has since managed to push the Karoq's arrival forward to June.
The range will start with the Karoq 110TSI front-wheel drive petrol, with diesel and all-wheel drive variants to follow in the first half of 2019. As we've previously reported, the car will kick off from around $30,000.
In 110TSI trim, the Karoq makes 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque from its new 1.5-litre turbocharged four pot, good for an 8.4-second sprint to 100km/h and 204km/h top speed. It's worth mentioning, the 1.5-litre engine we're getting isn't the uber-clean Evo unit offered in Europe.
Michael Irmer, Skoda Australia's managing director, has previously told us the Karoq will offer a high level of specification, just like the brand's wider range.
"Australia Skoda owners expect high levels of equipment and we will not disappoint them," he said.
Autonomous-emergency braking will be standard across the range, while smartphone mirroring – Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – will also be included range-wide. This will also be the first Skoda offered with a 12.3-inch digital driver display, although it'll eventually roll out across the range following the Karoq's initial launch.
Full-LED headlights will be offered, along with 19-inch wheels, VarioFlex rear seats and an adaptive chassis.
Overseas, the Karoq is offered in 110TDI and 140TDI guises, making 110kW/340Nm and 140kW/400Nm respectively from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine.
Full pricing and specs will be announced closer to launch. Stay tuned to CarAdvice for all the latest.