Skoda Kodiaq vRS revealed as diesel performance hero: 2018 Paris Motor Show

SKODA has ripped the silk off its first performance SUV, the Kodiaq vRS, ahead of its first public appearance at the Paris Motor Show.

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The hotted-up variant of the Kodiaq three-row SUV is fitted with a 176kW twin-turbo diesel engine, which is the most powerful oil-burner Skoda has produced. The 2.0-litre four-pot also sends 500Nm to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission for a claimed 0-100km/h sprint of 7.0 seconds, and a top speed of 220km/h.

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Prior to the arrival of the vRS, the most powerful Kodiaq was the 140TDI which produced 140kW and 400Nm, and a thoroughly lukewarm 0-100km/h time of 8.5 seconds.

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Another key metric? A Nurburgring Nordschleife lap time of 9:29.84, set with ‘ring veteran Sabine Schmitz at the wheel – rapid enough for the Kodiaq vRS to claim the title of ‘fastest seven-seater’ around the German circuit. It’s far from the fastest SUV at the Nordschleife though: that title belongs to the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Q, which can orbit the ‘ring more than 90-seconds faster than the Skoda.

Adding to the vRS’s performance credentials is adaptive chassis control, which includes six drive modes, electronically adjusted shock absorbers, and a progressive steering rack.

Visual enhancements have also been made, with the faster Kodiaq featuring unique front and rear bumpers, vRS logos, gloss black bodywork elements and a new 20-inch wheel design.

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Inside, alcantara-covered seats and door trims are standard, along with an all-electronic instrument panel, a carbonfibre-effect instrument cluster, a sports steering wheel ambient LED lighting, tinted windows, black roof lining, and stainless steel pedals.

Skoda says the Kodiaq vRS will be available in either five- or seven-seat configurations, offering 600- and 231-litres of load-lugging space respectively.

Unfortunately for Australians it looks unlikely the Kodiaq vRS will be arriving Down Under, despite our performance hungry market.

“This model is not currently scheduled for our market due to its hot climate classification,” Skoda Australia’s corporate communications general manager Paul Pottinger told Wheels.

“As a company, however, we are seeking to have this designation reconsidered so that this model and possibly others besides would become available.”