Making a line for the Sportline
After test driving the Skoda Kodiaq Sportline, we think getting one may be a clever choice.
The all-new Kamiq bears an upright radiator grille with distinctive double slats on its wide front section, with a prominent front spoiler and other add-on parts such as the rear diffuser to accentuate the overall impression.
From the side, it looks rugged thanks to its distinctive tornado line, defined surfaces and roof rails, while the Monte Carlo model is fitted with a panoramic roof and gloss-black roof rails to bolster the bold appearance further.
The interior of the vehicle is spacious, offering the driver and front passenger 1,051mm of headroom and 1,439mm of elbow room – with rear seat passengers getting 1,003mm of headroom, 1425mm of elbow room and 73mm kneeroom. The boot capacity is 400L, but climbs to 1,395L with the 60:40 split backrests folded down, as well as delivering an extra 26L of stowage space via clever interior compartments.
Two TSI petrol engines are available, with The Ambition 85kW TSI and the Ambition + and Monte Carlo 110kW TSI with cylinder capacities of 1.0 or 1.5L, all mated with a 7-speed DSG transmission.
It uses a new chassis that combines the advantages of an SUV with the driving characteristics of a compact car. In comparison to the ŠKODA SCALA, which uses the same platform, the KAMIQ has longer springs and shock absorbers, a stiffer stabiliser for the front axle, a reinforced rear axle, larger wheels and power steering with a different gear ratio. This raises ground clearance by 39mm – 10mm of which stems from the larger cross section tyres to deliver a total ground clearance of 188mm.
The KAMIQ features Lane Assist, Front Assist including City Emergency Brake, Driver Fatigue Alert, and Cruise Control as standard. Using a camera, Lane Assist recognises road markings and helps the driver to stay in lane, Front Assist with City Emergency Brake lends a hand by preventing or reducing the severity of a collision with pedestrians or cyclists.
The Driver Fatigue Alert system recognises a reduction in the driver’s concentration and recommends a break from driving.
The optional, automatic door-edge protection is unique to the compact SUV segment, while an electric tailgate includes a Tap-To-Close function is also available.
As with the rest of the Skoda SUV range, the umbrella compartment (including umbrella) is in the driver’s door, ice scraper in the fuel filler flap with a tyre tread depth gauge and the integrated funnel in the lid of the windscreen washer tank are all standard equipment.
