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Skoda Karoq: 250,000th SUV produced

Skoda has reached a production milestone for its relatively new Karoq SUV, celebrating 250,000 units this week.


The Czech crossover has hit the quarter-of-a-million mark after two years of sale, after putting the Karoq into series production at its Kvasiny plant in July 2017.

So far this year around 97,900 Karoqs have been delivered to customers globally, with 115,700 units sold in 2018.

Karoq number 250,000 is the vehicle pictured up top, an 85kW 1.0 TSI example finished in Black Magic metallic paint.

For the 2020 model year in Europe, Skoda has introduced some running changes to the Karoq (and larger Kodiaq) ranges.

One of the key upgrades is the new Side Assist system integrating the blind-spot warning lights into the mirror caps. The system can now notify drivers of an approaching vehicle up to 70 metres away.

The updated technology operates at speeds above 15km/h when accelerating and down to as low as 10km/h under braking.

Front-wheel drive versions of the Karoq are also now available with Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC), essentially Volkswagen-speak for adaptive dampers, which adjusts the suspension according to each drive mode – Comfort, Normal and Sport.

The available keyless entry and start system has been updated with a motion sensor in the key fob, which the company says reduces the risk of the vehicle being stolen or broken into.

Finally, the MY20 Karoq is now available with the 140kW 2.0 TDI four-cylinder turbo-diesel, which is compliant with the latest Euro 6d-Temp emissions regulations, featuring an SCR catalytic converter including AdBlue injection and a diesel particulate filter. All-wheel drive and a seven-speed DSG automatic are standard-fit for the flagship oiler.

 

Australia

Skoda's local division has indicated it plans to deliver its promise to bolster the Australian Karoq line-up with a more powerful all-wheel drive model, though these changes may not come into effect until next year.

"We are working on it, and we're aiming to introduce it in 2020," Paul Pottinger, communications boss for Volkswagen Group Australia, said of the additional Karoq variant.

"We are hoping it will take the form of the 140 TSI 4x4," he added.

Currently, the Karoq is solely available as a 110kW 1.5 TSI with front-wheel drive and a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic.

Should the Karoq be made available Down Under with the 140kW petrol engine, it could also see the debut of the Sportline specification (above) in Australia, too, given that powertrain is only available with the sport-themed trim level in Europe at the moment.

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