Photo: Skoda
Of all the European automotive brands not available in the United States, Skoda is routinely among the most fascinating to gaze at from afar. A subsidiary of the Volkswagen group, there's a sense that Skoda vehicles exude an heir of refinement and quirkiness that VW products in the U.S. rarely ever do. As a statement to this effect, sneak peeks of the interiors in the all-new Skoda Kodiaq and Skoda Superb give us a tantalizing taste of what motorists in the U.S. are missing out on. On first impressions alone, we really like what we see so far.
With the dual launches of the Kodiaq and Superb just around the corner, these photographs of their respective interiors show off the finer points of what we Americans don't have access to across the pond in Europe. With plush, soft-touch leather seats made from 100 percent recycled materials and a sizeable 12.9-inch infotainment and navigation screen dominating this interior space, there's a sense that Euros and Yanks alike can appreciate what a nice place to sit these two interiors are. In a first for Skoda vehicles manufactured since 1895, the new Kodiaq and new Superb both have their gear selector stick mounted on the steering column.
This is a trait more in line with old-fashioned American luxury cars, which actually lends well to the laid-back, old-school luxury feel that Skoda engineers were looking for, but with a liberal sprinkling of modern technology mixed in to make for an interior that stands tall against BMWs and Audis this Skoda will compete for market share with across continental Europe. Also new for these novel Skodas includes Škoda Smart Dials, a multi-functional selector dial that intends to consolidate many of the functions of the interior into one easy-to-use and intuitive selector system accessible to the driver.
Add this to a suite of four USB-C fast-charging ports and ergonomic pneumatic massaging seats, and there are BMWs and Lincolns made not all that long ago that'd feel jealous of the level of standard features these two Skodas take for granted. It's indicative of an automaker that has quite a bit to prove in a luxury segment ultra-saturated with some of the most recourse-wealthy companies in the global automotive sector.
"Škoda interiors stand for intuitiveness, simplicity, customer focus, and smart solutions. Our latest innovation, Škoda Smart Dials, has expanded the intuitive options for controlling the car’s functions, combining the best of both worlds: physical controls and digital displays," said Peter Olah, Head of Interior Design at Škoda Auto. "The fresh interiors of the Kodiaq and Superb now feature a large, free-standing display, a steering column-mounted gear selector, and an uncluttered center console. These enhancements have paved the way for a more spacious and cozy interior that not only catches the eye but also offers practicality and genuine added value for our customers." Rest assured, we can't wait to see what the rest of the car looks like.
This is a trait more in line with old-fashioned American luxury cars, which actually lends well to the laid-back, old-school luxury feel that Skoda engineers were looking for, but with a liberal sprinkling of modern technology mixed in to make for an interior that stands tall against BMWs and Audis this Skoda will compete for market share with across continental Europe. Also new for these novel Skodas includes Škoda Smart Dials, a multi-functional selector dial that intends to consolidate many of the functions of the interior into one easy-to-use and intuitive selector system accessible to the driver.
Add this to a suite of four USB-C fast-charging ports and ergonomic pneumatic massaging seats, and there are BMWs and Lincolns made not all that long ago that'd feel jealous of the level of standard features these two Skodas take for granted. It's indicative of an automaker that has quite a bit to prove in a luxury segment ultra-saturated with some of the most recourse-wealthy companies in the global automotive sector.
"Škoda interiors stand for intuitiveness, simplicity, customer focus, and smart solutions. Our latest innovation, Škoda Smart Dials, has expanded the intuitive options for controlling the car’s functions, combining the best of both worlds: physical controls and digital displays," said Peter Olah, Head of Interior Design at Škoda Auto. "The fresh interiors of the Kodiaq and Superb now feature a large, free-standing display, a steering column-mounted gear selector, and an uncluttered center console. These enhancements have paved the way for a more spacious and cozy interior that not only catches the eye but also offers practicality and genuine added value for our customers." Rest assured, we can't wait to see what the rest of the car looks like.
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