Right then, let’s take a gander at a machine that hasn’t yet felt the delightful twinkle of the spotlight over at HonkHonk.co.uk, a motor that’s as dashing as a fox in a henhouse. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the delightful Skoda Kodiaq, and not just any Kodiaq, mind, but the vRS model – that’s the one that’s had a bit of the spicy chilli pepper sprinkled into its petrol.
Nestled under the bonnet, you’ll find a 2.0-litre, twin-turbocharged diesel that’s as punchy as a middleweight boxer after his morning espresso. With 240 horses straining at the leash and a healthy 500 Nm of torque, this Czech chariot gets from 0 to 62 mph quicker than you can say “Oh, crikey, that’s brisk!” This is no lethargic, cumbersome beast; it propels itself in a manner that downright defies the laws of physics for something of its size.
Now, as we saunter around to the hindquarters of this Eastern European wonder, you’ll note it sports a rather fetching pair of exhaust pipes. And, as I found out, when you prod the loud pedal they emit a sound that’s a symphony of diesel thunder – reminiscent, perhaps, of a storm brewing over the steppes.
Slipping into the Skoda Kodiaq vRS is reminiscent of settling into your favourite armchair – if your favourite armchair came with Alcantara sports seats and red stitching that is as racy as a ballroom dancer’s frock on a Saturday night. The interior is practical, a cornucopia of space with enough room to swing a cat or two and lose them. You’ve got your mod-cons, of course, including a slick infotainment system that connects to your smartphone quicker than you can say “Is that legal while driving?”
The drive itself is delightful. Behind the wheel, the vRS’ suspension tightens up when you switch to sport mode, sharpening its reflexes like a wily old fox ready for the hunt. Despite its size, this Skoda dances through the bends with poise and confidence that belies its elevated centre of gravity. And with four-wheel drive offering grip like a vice, it’s as surefooted as a mountain goat with a taste for adventure.
Right, let’s not be coy about it, this is a Skoda, and that badge used to be a punchline, but here, in the Kodiaq vRS, it stands for something quite different. It stands for everyday versatility with enough vim and vigour to get your pulse racing, just a little. And with the vRS, Skoda proves that practical can also be a tad exciting, like sneaking a sports car into a school sack race.
So there we are, the Skoda Kodiaq vRS – it’s the sort of car that tells the world you’re sensible but whispers in your ear that there’s mischief to be had. And in my book, that’s a winning combination.
