Skoda brings the Kamiq finally a legitimate successor to the small Yeti and has presented him at the Geneva Motor Show. He is small, practical, intelligent and his design stands out from the crowd. And he has room! One could almost believe that he is bigger inside than outside.
Also, the Skoda Yeti (2009 to 2017 built) had until his facelift a face that stood out before he then got a general-purpose mask. Even if the charisma of the Kamiq is not as likable as that of its cuddly predecessor, it ties in a sense to old optical qualities and should certainly polarize with its look. But with his thoroughly good qualities, he can afford it.
The Jeep Cherokee has been scolded for these high-level LED strips in the front, at Citroen they made hardly an outcry, and the Skoda Kamiq? Is it the little Czechs something unusual cutting. Otherwise, his design language is that of Karoq and Kodiaq.
But Skoda is generally courageous in the design, as could also be shown in Geneva study Vision iV viewed from the front almost a baby version of the Lamborghini Urus. In this respect: Good that Skoda has held back a little at Kamiq.
Its length of 4.24 meters corresponds almost exactly to the Skoda Yeti, the width is identical with 1,793 meters to the millimeter. Only in height remains the Kamiq 15 inches below and measures 1.53 meters. Given this size, it is amazing how much space the little Czech offers. In the backseat it is almost opulent, even for 1.90-meter men, and even then, even if taken in the front of such a place. This certainly contributes to the wheelbase of 2.65 meters, which is only one centimeter shorter than, for example, the Mazda CX-30.
It feels particularly airy when the huge panoramic roof is installed. Restrictions on headroom? Nikoliv, so no. No real tightness in the trunk, which holds 400 to 1395 liters of luggage. Compared to the Yeti are missing with folded rear seat back almost 200 liters – because of the flatter rear and the sloping roofline.
Powerful equipment
The Kamiq is based on the modular transverse modular system of the A0 group of the VW Group. That means: unlike the similar sized T-Roc (A1 group), there will be no four-wheel drive for the Skoda. But a lot of assistance systems. Always on board is a front radar, with the help of the Czech pedestrians detected and optionally slows down autonomously. The lane departure warning system is also part of the standard repertoire. If you dig deeper into the equipment box (and into the wallet), you get features like the active cruise control, which works up to 210 km / h.
In addition, the engineers are installing additional radar sensors that warn of vehicles that are either in the process of overtaking or in blind spots. Rearward parking out of confusing gaps is also accompanied by acoustic signals. And if a collision is unavoidable, the machine tightens the straps and closes the windows if necessary. The neatly crafted interior is full of infotainment to match the assistant armada – a 9.2-inch freestanding monitor plus a combination instrument made of TFT surface shows the amount of time.
Last but not least, the fact that the new Skoda Kamiq is networked is demonstrated by a function that enables the front-wheel drive to be remotely disconnected via a web portal or to check whether the windows are closed. Various driving data such as previously reached speeds or the tank level can also be retrieved remotely.
Classically under the hood In
contrast, the engine chapter then seems only classic. Under the hood diesel and Otto engines work between 95 hp and 150 hp. Turbocharging and direct injection are set, cylinder deactivation must increase the efficiency of the powerful gasoline engine. And instead of electromotive assistance, the Kamiq will provide a natural gas variant for CO2 and NOx reduction. Manual transmissions with five or six gears respectively automatic (seven-speed dual clutch) transmit the different torques. If you want, get a chassis with electronic damper control, where there are no variable settings, but only two static hardness levels. Basically, a lowering of one centimeter is associated with the electronic control “Sport Chassis Control”.
Bottom line
That was missing at Skoda: a cheap SUV with the characteristics of the Yeti. Only four-wheel drive you have to do without. And on the teddy bear face.
Market launch is in the fall. The basic price is not yet announced, but should be below 20,000 euros. For many, one could say: you do not need more car, everything else is luxury!