Skoda Auto India has announced the price of the Kodiaq RS, with the performance-focused SUV available at Rs. 66.99 lakhs (ex-showroom). Imported as a completely built unit (CBU), the RS becomes the most expensive variant in the Kodiaq lineup and commands a premium of Rs. 20 lakh over the locally assembled Selection L&K trim.
The company also confirmed that the initial allocation of 50 units for India was fully booked within six minutes of reservations opening on June 22. Skoda has not yet announced whether additional units will be made available.
The Kodiaq RS is powered by Volkswagen Group’s EA888 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, producing 265 HP and 400 Nm of torque. Compared to the standard Kodiaq, this represents an increase of 61 HP and 80 Nm.
Power is sent to all four wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DSG). Skoda claims the SUV can accelerate from 0-100 km/hr in 6.3 seconds, making it the quickest Skoda model launched in India to date.
The RS also receives chassis upgrades, including Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC Plus) adaptive suspension with 15 selectable damping settings, along with progressive steering, which varies the steering ratio depending on steering input.
Visually, the Kodiaq RS features a more aggressive appearance than the standard model. It gets redesigned front and rear bumpers, RS badges, 20-inch alloy wheels, a larger roof spoiler and dual stainless-steel exhaust outlets.
Gloss black exterior elements include the front grille, roof rails, window surrounds, ORVMs and D-pillar trim. Buyers can choose from Velvet Red, Magic Black, Moon White and Steel Grey exterior colours.
Inside, the cabin receives RS-specific styling with red contrast stitching on the seats, dashboard and steering wheel, along with RS embossing on the seats and metallic-finish dashboard inserts.
The equipment list includes a 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, panoramic sunroof, three-zone climate control, electrically adjustable front seats with ventilation, heating, massage, memory and thigh support functions, as well as a 13-speaker Canton audio system.
Safety features include nine airbags, a 360-degree camera and an ADAS suite.
The Skoda Kodiaq RS enters the market as a rival to the Volkswagen Tayron R-Line. While the Volkswagen is assembled locally and offered at a significantly lower price point, the Kodiaq RS differentiates itself with higher engine output and additional performance-oriented hardware such as adaptive suspension.
