Rumoured and teased for the most part of 2018 so far, Skoda has finally unveiled the 2019 Kodiaq GT. To sit in the Chinese Skoda range as the Kodiaq’s sportier-looking sibling, the Kodiaq GT features two available turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engines, as well as slinkier styling and sportier interior treatments compared with the regular Kodiaq.
Unfortunately for worldwide coupe SUV fans, Skoda has no current plans to sell the Kodiaq GT outside China due to lack of production stock in Europe, though admitted it could be sold in Europe before 2020 if the demand is there.
Dr. Ralf Hanschen, President of Škoda China, said: “The Škoda Kodiaq GT is an important milestone in Škoda’s China strategy. Being the first coupé SUV in our model range specifically designed for the Chinese market.”
“We are confident that this sporty and stylish Škoda model will appeal to new customer groups and provide an even more impressive driving experience for our customers in China.”
While the mechanical parts of the Kodiaq GT may be similar to the regular Kodiaq, its styling is quite different. The front end is similar to the Chinese-spec Kodiaq, with an inlet underneath the main grille and sportier-looking bumpers than the Australian model. The rear quarters are quite different, with the GT taking a slinker and more coupe-like roofline over the squarer regular Kodiaq. The tailights are slightly different to the regular model, and like the recently-revealed Kodiaq RS, the rear reflector strip runs the full length of the bumper.
Inside the changes are less pronounced, though there are differences such as the sports seats used in the Kodiaq RS that are available in a nice tan and black colour – we wish this interior combination were available in Australia. Skoda’s new digital dials is reportedly standard equipment, as is an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a China-specific equivalent called Baidu Carlife. Like the regular Kodiaq, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and lane keep assist are all available.
Sitting on the same MQB platform as the Kodiaq SUV, the five-seat Kodiaq GT rides on the same 2,791mm wheelbase as its seven-seat brother. Its overall length is 63mm shorter than the regular Kodiaq at 4,634mm long, its width is 1mm wider at 1,883mm and its height is 27mm shorter at 1,649mm. Bootspace is not listed, but it’s understood to be much less with the rear seats folded than the standard Kodiaq’s 2,005-litre figure.
Under the bonnet of the Kodiaq GT is a choice of two engines, both 2.0-litre turbo petrol units matched to seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions. The lower-powered unit makes 137kW of power and 320Nm, while the upper unit makes 162kW of power and 350Nm and features all-wheel drive – we wish both were available in Australian-spec Kodiaqs.
The 2019 Skoda Kodiaq GT is not due to go on sale in any markets outside China for now. Stay tuned to Chasing Cars for more Skoda news and reviews.
