Skoda Kodiaq RS Sets Nurburgring Record

A couple of days ago, we asked you to get all excited because Skoda had sent its big bear to conquer the Nurburgring. Unsurprisingly, the bear did quite well and came back home with a trophy. It’s official, folks. The Skoda Kodiaq RS is the fastest seven-seater to lap the Nurburgring, with an official time of…..wait for it… 9:29:84, or nine and a half minutes for us common folks.

As we’d guessed, the RS was powered by the Volkswagen Group’s famed 2.0-litre BiTDi engine. As the “Bi” must’ve made amply evident, it’s a twin-turbocharged engine that dishes out a whopping 239PS of power and 500Nm of torque. Skoda confirms that the Kodiaq that lapped the Nurburgring was no different than the one that will be put on sale. “The seven-seater all-wheel drive SUV had no special engineering ahead of its record attempt. It was precisely the same version that will be unveiled to the public in October and then go on sale,” read a release issued by the manufacturer.

Goes without saying, a car is as fast as its driver. Piloting the RS was German bosswoman Sabine Schmitz. “I thought a seven-seater would not be so easy to handle, especially on a demanding circuit like the Nordschleife, but I have great feelings about it. It drives well. I’m really impressed,” she was quoted saying.

Most of the design elements of the Kodiaq RS are still under camouflage in the pictures, but you do spot the slightly aggressive front bumper and the reworked diffuser on the rear. Of course, who can miss the massive 20-inch alloys. Skoda hasn’t given us glimpses into the interior yet, but don’t expect that to be too different compared to a regular Kodiaq save for sportier seats, and generous use of alcantara and carbon fibre trims in the cabin.

We’re hoping Skoda gets the RS to India. The Octavia RS has been a smash hit for the brand, and with these kind of numbers, the Kodiaq RS promises to be more of the same. Now, we wait until October for the official unveil. In the meantie enjoy the video: