The Skoda Kodiaq Scout variant will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March showing off the vehicle’s “off-road capabilities both visually and in terms of technology”.

THE SKODA KODIAQ Scout will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March, offering four engines and all-wheel drive across the range. The 19-inch alloys on the show car might put off some genuine off-road drivers.

The Skoda Kodiaq claims the largest interior and boot in its segment and is available with seven-seats; Practical Motoring has already driven it overseas, and you can read that review HERE.

The Kodiaq Scout is based on the Kodiaq SE and so comes with Off-Road Assist, a Rough-Road package with underbody and engine protection as well as a front and rear Park Assist. It also offers Driving Mode Select (Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, Individual, Snow), which can be used to control the engine, automatic transmission, power steering and air conditioning. Snow mode adjusts the ABS, ASR, ACC (where present) systems and the engine management to the specific conditions of the snow-covered or slippery road. This is like VW’s 4Motion with Active Control.

In terms of visual differences, the Kodiaq Scout gets silver accented details, like the radiator grille, wing mirrors and side window trims.

Standard equipment inside includes a multifunction steering wheel, LED ambient lighting in ten colours, a Modular Infotainment Matrix (MIB) with eight speakers, Alcantara-covered seats with the Kodiaq logo, door trims in the Alcantara design, steel pedals, textile floor mats and the Kodiaq logo in the front door sills.

The Kodiaq Scout offers ground clearance of 194mm, a breakover angle of 19.7 degrees; and 22.0 and 23.1-degrees approach and departure angles, respectively. In addition, the Rough-Road package, which comes as standard, protects against damage to the underbody, engine, brake and fuel lines as well as cables.

When driving on rough roads, the driver can activate the off-road mode. The cost-optional DCC shock absorbers change their mode of operation accordingly; the throttle response is somewhat slower. The ABS anti-lock braking system permits a certain amount of slip to create a wedge effect in front of the wheels. To improve traction in off-road mode, ASR allows a greater amount of slip, and traction control reacts more quickly. The Kodiaq Scout also offers Hill-Hold Control and Hill-Descent Control functions which are activated in off-road mode – the latter maintains the car’s speed at the level at which the driver enters the slope.

While we still don’t know the final specification for Kodiaq in Australia, the Kodiaq Scout will be available with Trailer Assist, Blind Spot Detect, which warns of any vehicles in the blind spot, and Rear Traffic Alert, which monitors traffic coming from the sides and behind when manoeuvring etc. The Crew Protect Assist function, which closes windows and the sunroof in the event of an impending accident and tensions the seat belts of the front seats, works in conjunction with the Front Assist function, which includes the City Emergency Brake and predictive Pedestrian Protection functions.

The Area-View system is a first for the brand: the surround-view cameras, which are in the front and rear sections as well as in the wing mirrors, come with wide-angle lenses and allow views of the area immediately surrounding the vehicle to be displayed on the monitor. These include a virtual top-down view and 180-degree images from the areas to the front and rear.

In addition to showing off the Kodiaq Scout at the Genva Motor Show, Skoda has hinted it will also show off “other novelities”. Stay tuned.