The New ŠKODA KODIAQ vRS Is Set to Debut at the Paris Motor Show 2018
The new KODIAQ vRS will make its world premiere at the 2018 Paris Motor Show between the 4th - 14th October. Powered by a 239PS TDI bi-turbo engine — the most powerful production diesel engine in ŠKODA’s 120-year history — the four-cylinder power plant generates 176kW (239PS) from its 2.0-litre capacity, and delivers a maximum torque of 500Nm.
‘V’ is for victories
The ‘V’ in vRS references the brand’s multiple victories whist on the racing circuit, while the ‘RS’ stands for Rally Sport — first used in 1974 on the ŠKODA 180 RS and 200 RS prototypes. In 1975, ŠKODA combined these cars into the iconic 130 RS and, two years later, the ‘Porsche of the East’ bagged a brace of wins at the legendary Monte Carlo and Acropolis rallies. In 2000, the OCTAVIA vRS became the brand’s first vRS production model.
Setting a New Nürburgring Record
Recently ŠKODA asked Racing driver Sabine Schmitz to challenge the ŠKODA KODAIQ vRS around the Nürburgring’s legendary Nordschleife in the KODIAQ vRS and set a lap record. The Nürburgring’s legendary Nordschleife is notoriously challenging, pushing humans and machines to their respective limits in what drivers call the ‘Green Hell’. Hell, however, holds no fear for Schmitz, whose 9min 29.84sec negotiation of the Nordschleife is a brand new record for a seven-seater SUV.
Schmitz regularly takes part in the long-distance championship (VLN) and the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring, and in 1996 she became the first woman ever to win the 24-hour race, going on to defend the title the following year. As a presenter on various car shows, she has become well-known to a wide audience. Schmitz estimates she has driven more than 30,000 laps on the Nordschleife to date.
“The KODIAQ vRS is great fun on the track,” said Sabine. “ŠKODA has made full use of its large SUV’s potential with the KODIAQ vRS. I can certainly imagine that I’ll be encountering the KODIAQ vRS regularly during my laps around the Nordschleife in future,” Schmitz added with a wink. The new 2.0 BiTDI engine generates 239PS and is exclusive to the KODIAQ vRS. Its dynamic sound boost announces the presence of this high-torque diesel in uncompromising fashion, while the car’s adaptive dynamic chassis control (DCC), including driving mode select and progressive steering, provides rock solid road-holding for this all-wheel-drive monster.
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