news

Skoda Karoq: 140 TSI ‘or’ 140 TDI on the cards

The Skoda Karoq is still on track to get a long-promised second variant in Australia with all-wheel drive, though the local arm is still working out what it will be powered by.


Speaking with Drive, Skoda Australia's general manager for corporate communications, Paul Pottinger, indicated the Czech brand's local division hopes to make an announcement 'soon', though it's unsure at this stage whether it'll be petrol or diesel.

The choices available for the Karoq are the 140 TSI petrol and 140 TDI diesel powertrains, both paired to an on-demand all-wheel drive system and seven-speed DSG automatic.

The 140 TSI model features a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol motor generating 140kW (hence the name) and 320Nm – the latter available between 1400 and 4100rpm.

With this powertrain the Karoq claims a 7.0-second sprint from 0-100km/h, identical to that of the performance-focused, albeit larger, Kodiaq RS.

It's a similar engine to the one used in the Audi Q2 40 TFSI quattro sport, and is also set to be the sole powertrain for the upcoming Volkswagen T-Roc when it arrives next year.

Meanwhile, the 140 TDI features the 140kW/400Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel that's been offered in the larger Kodiaq and other Volkswagen models like the Tiguan and Passat – though interestingly, this powertrain isn't available in overseas versions of the Karoq.

Compared to the petrol, the 140 TDI makes its peak torque across a narrower rev band – between 1750 and 3250rpm – though should prove to be more frugal.

This engine is currently unavailable in other Volkswagen Group model lines due to production delays caused by the implementation of WLTP emissions regulations in Europe, and there's no word on exactly when they'll return to sale.

Currently the Karoq is offered with just one powertrain in Australia, a 110kW/250Nm 1.5 TSI turbo petrol engine paired with a DSG as standard driving the front wheels.

At launch a six-speed manual was also available – helping to get the entry price below $30,000 before on-road costs – but this option was dropped shortly after the initial shipment was depleted.

Despite the limited choice, however, sales of the Karoq are on the rise Down Under. To the end of July, the Skoda's year-to-date (YTD)  tally of 725 registrations is a massive 417.9 per cent up on the same period in 2018, admittedly off a low base given it only launched in Australia in May last year.

In the hotly-contested mainstream 'Medium SUV' segment VFACTS has slotted the Karoq in, it commands 0.9 per cent market share, compared to the likes of the Mazda CX-5 (17.5 per cent YTD) and Toyota RAV4 (14.5 per cent YTD).

Chat with us!







Chat with Agent