Skoda Auto India has sent shockwaves through the premium enthusiast community by officially introducing its legendary “Rally Sport” heritage into a family-sized silhouette. Marking the first time an SUV body style has worn the coveted vRS emblem on Indian soil, the Czech carmaker has launched the highly anticipated Skoda Kodiaq RS at an ex-showroom price of ₹66.99 lakh.
Arriving in the country via the Completely Built Unit (CBU) import route, the ultra-premium performance machine faced an overwhelming response. The initial exclusive allocation of just 50 units for the Indian market completely sold out within a blistering six minutes after the digital booking ledger officially went live.
Heart of a Hot Hatch: The Potent EA888 Powertrain
Underneath the aggressively sculpted hood lies the true identity of the Kodiaq RS. The luxury cruiser ditches the modest tuning of the standard SUV to incorporate Volkswagen Group’s high-output, state-of-the-art EA888 Gen 4 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol TSI engine.
This mechanical powerhouse is aggressively remapped to generate a massive 261 bhp of raw power and 400 Nm of peak torque. This represents a dramatic, track-focused bump of 61 horsepower and 80 Newton-meters over the standard locally-assembled Laurin & Klement trim.
To effectively manage this aggressive power surge, the engine is paired with a revised 7-speed dual-clutch DSG automatic transmission featuring specific sport-shift logic. Power is channeled permanently to all four wheels via an intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system that dynamically shunts torque to whichever tire finds optimum grip.
Consequently, despite its large footprint, this 7-seater family hauler rockets from 0 to 100 km/h in an astonishing 6.3 seconds, making it the quickest production model Skoda has ever sold in India. The top speed is electronically limited to a swift 231 km/h.
Skoda Kodiaq Variant & Performance Architecture
The introduction of the high-performance RS variant creates a massive performance and equipment delta within the premium Kodiaq lineup:
| Kodiaq Lineup Variant | Drivetrain & Engine Map | Peak Power / Torque Metrics | Dynamic Suspension System | Infotainment Real Estate | Base Price Label (Ex-Showroom) |
| Kodiaq RS (New Import) | 2.0L TSI Turbo Petrol (Gen 4) | 261 bhp / 400 Nm | DCC+ Adaptive Dual-Valve | 12.9-Inch Floating Hub | ₹66.99 Lakh (Sold Out) |
| Selection Laurin & Klement | 2.0L TSI Turbo Petrol | 200 bhp / 320 Nm | Standard Passive Shocks | 10.25-Inch Integrated Block | ₹46.99 Lakh |
| Kodiaq Sportline | 2.0L TSI Turbo Petrol | 200 bhp / 320 Nm | Standard Passive Shocks | 10.25-Inch Integrated Block | ₹44.99 Lakh |
| Kodiaq Lounge (Base) | 2.0L TSI Turbo Petrol | 200 bhp / 320 Nm | Base Comfort Springs | 8.0-Inch Legacy Interface | ₹36.99 Lakh |
Cornering Precision: Advanced DCC+ and Beefier Brakes
Straight-line speed is nothing without handling control, which is why Skoda’s racing team overhauled the entire suspension network. The Kodiaq RS features the cutting-edge Dynamic Chassis Control Plus (DCC+) adaptive damping system.
Unlike primitive electronic setups, DCC+ utilizes dual independent electronic valves per damper to split compression and rebound control. This enables the SUV to instantly stiffen its chassis when clicking into Sport mode to eliminate body roll, or loosen up to provide a smooth, magic-carpet ride quality in Comfort mode across seven distinct drive profiles.
Stopping power receives a major upgrade to safely rein in the vehicle’s mass. The RS model is outfitted with much larger ventilated brake discs clamped by heavy-duty twin-piston calipers finished in an unmistakable gloss-red paint. Visually, the model asserts its dominance via an aggressive gloss-black signature grille frame, blacked-out ORVM housings, dark window surrounds, dual integrated polished stainless-steel exhaust tips, and massive 20-inch bespoke alloy wheels.
Track-Inspired Cabin Luxury
Step past the threshold, and the interior transitions into a performance cockpit. Passengers are secured in specialized, high-back sport seats wrapped in premium breathable material featuring distinct red cross-stitching and embossed vRS insignias on the integrated headrests. The driver interacts with a unique 3-spoke flat-bottom racing steering wheel featuring tactile paddle shifters.
Despite the heavy performance bias, luxury amenities remain uncompromised. The dashboard houses a massive 12.9-inch touchscreen entertainment system coupled with a 10.24-inch fully digital Virtual Cockpit displaying sport-specific telemetry like boost pressure and a central tachometer. Comfort features abound, including full seating ventilation, heating, a specialized back massage array, 3-zone automatic climate control, a panoramic glass roof, and a crystal-clear 13-speaker Canton audio network featuring an independent subwoofer. While it retains the versatile 7-seat configuration, it serves as the ultimate low-profile driver’s car for those who love mechanical purity but still need family utility.
