The second-gen 2024 Skoda Kodiaq RS, powered by a GTI-sourced engine, is set to lead the lineup with a sporty debut expected by year-end.
All-New Skoda Kodiaq RS Spotted Testing Its Potent GTI Engine at Nürburgring
The all-new second-generation Skoda Kodiaq RS is nearing launch and is poised to become the flagship of the Kodiaq lineup. Industry insiders anticipate its debut before the end of 2024.
Refined Design and Enhanced Performance
The updated Skoda Kodiaq RS boasts distinctive design updates that set it apart from the standard versions. The front bumper adopts a sportier look with a taller, narrower central air intake and restyled side vents. At the rear, the bumper features a built-in diffuser paired with substantial tailpipe trims. Subtle tweaks to the side skirts complement exclusive wheel designs reserved for this model.
Maintaining the signature split-headlamp design of the second-gen Kodiaq, the RS variant also retains the distinctive rear lighting setup. Beneath the surface, the chassis has been upgraded to lower the vehicle’s stance, enhancing road grip and dynamic handling compared to its siblings.
This lowered center of gravity and likely firmer suspension should deliver sharper cornering capabilities. Upgraded brakes are expected to support the crossover’s increased performance. Built on the MQB Evo platform shared with the Volkswagen Tiguan, Passat, and the low-slung Skoda Superb, the Kodiaq RS reinforces its sporty credentials.
Powertrain Update
The previous Kodiaq RS featured a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 242 horsepower (245 ps/180 kW). The upcoming model is expected to retain this engine configuration, but with enhanced output. The latest Octavia RS uses the same motor found in the VW Golf GTI, delivering 261 horsepower (265 ps/195 kW), which is likely what powers the prototype seen testing.
No evidence suggests a plug-in hybrid setup, as the test vehicle lacked a charging port. While some speculate a 2025 launch, the minimal camouflage on the prototypes and the maturity of related models suggest a premiere is imminent.
Skoda is known for releasing teasers ahead of new models, so official reveals of the 2024 Kodiaq RS (or vRS) should emerge soon. Expect stylized sketches highlighting a bold design that may differ somewhat from the production version.