► Skoda confirms Kodiaq name
► Badge for new 2016 crossover
► Named after Alaskan bear
Skoda has confirmed that its new 2016 crossover will wear the Kodiaq badge – yes, its new SUV is effectively named after a grizzly Alaskan bear.
The new Kodiaq is a full-size SUV based on the larger component set that underpins the Tiguan from parent company Volkswagen. The Vision S concept car gives a good idea of what to expect.
Skoda Kodiaq: the etymology of the badge
The SUV’s unusual badge, which had been widely leaked before today’s official confirmation, refers to the Kodiak bear found on a remote island off the southern tip of Alaska.
Why have they switched to a different spelling from its ursine namesake? Over to Skoda: ‘The Alutiiq, the natives, call the bear Taq uka ‘aq – the letter Q at the end is a characteristic of animal names. Skoda’s use of the letter Q creates a distinctive name for a very distinctive new Skoda.’
Quite.
When will we see the new Skoda SUV?
The Czechs will show the new Kodiaq crossover in the second half of 2016. As well as the name, Skoda has confirmed the size of the SUV – it’s 4.7m long – and that it’ll be a full seven-seater.
Expect to see the car at the 2016 Paris motor show, and for deliveries to start in early 2017.
Click here to find out why Skoda is readying a raft of new SUVs
