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Skoda Considering Karoq RS With 300 HP

You probably can't pronounce "Karoq" yet, but Skoda is already thinking outside its comfort zone towards developing a performance SUV.
Skoda Considering Karoq RS With 300 HP 1 photo
Photo: Skoda
The work is already being done by Volkswagen and SEAT with their respective MQB-based compact 4x4s, the Tiguan R and Ateca Cupra. Both have already been confirmed and should arrive within the year.

A performance Yeti was rumored once, but between the economic crisis and the old platform, Skoda never put any effort into it. But the demand clearly exists.

Speaking to Autocar magazine during the Karoq's debut in Sweden, CEO Bernhard Maier said the following: "We have from our customer base very clear feedback that there is obviously a demand in having an SUV with our vRS logo."

Talking about a new performance model, this soon is almost unheard of. We don't even have a cool but unfounded rendering to go with our story. Maier added that the Karoq RS would get a "substantial discussion" to decide whether it's viable or not.

According to the official numbers, the fastest Karoq model is, as in the case of the Ateca, a 2.0 TDI with 190 PS and 400 Nm of torque. Thanks to its standard 7-speed DSG and 4x4 systems (launch control is implied), it will get from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 211 km/h (131 mph). That's faster than the Octavia RS 2.0 TDI.

Our source speculates that a performance Skoda SUV would get the same 2.0 TSI engine as the SEAT Ateca Cupra. So much for the "Cupra engines only go in Cupras" mantra!

Without being able to drive one of VW Group's hot 4x4s, we can't say if 300 HP is not enough, just enough or too much. The 245 HP engine from the GTI might be sufficient, but the real cost of this project is going to be in the AWD, DSG, and adaptive suspension, not the size of the turbocharger strapped to the 2.0-liter engine.

And let's not forget the same engineers are probably going to be busy with the Kodiaq 2.0 BiTDI and plug-in hybrid models.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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