NEW DELHI:
Skoda India has launched a new range-topping variant of its
Kodiaq SUV
, christened 'Laurin & Klement (L&K)', at an introductory price of Rs 35.99 lakh (ex-showroom).
The new flagship SUV is badged as a reminder of Skoda’s founding fathers, Vaclav Laurin and Vaclav Klement.
At the given price, the L&K is almost Rs 2 lakh costlier than the standard Style variant.
To make up for the price difference, the Kodiaq L&K gets chrome styling elements on the grille and rear diffuser, silver roof rails and ‘Laurin & Klement’ badging on the front fenders. However, the most prominent change is the introduction of Skoda’s Virtual Cockpit System. The Kodiaq L&K becomes the first Skoda car in India to feature the structure that replaces the analogue instrument cluster with a sizeable digital screen that doubles up as a display for navigation as well.
The Kodiaq L&K also gets 360-degree surround view system as standard. Other cabin improvisations include a piano black interior, aluminium pedals and L&K logo stitches on the seats.
Mechanically, there is no change in the Kodiaq L&K as it derives power from the same 2.0-litre diesel engine that propels the standard Kodiaq. The oil-burner churns out 150PS of power and a peak torque of 340Nm, mated to a dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
Apart from retaining all the equipment from the Style variant, the L&K further gets an anti-theft alarm and a speed warning signal as additions. The car is also equipped with an iBUZZ Fatigue Alert system which detects signs of fatigue in the driver and prompts to take a break.
The Kodiaq L&K is the only car in its segment to offer a total of nine airbags and it competes with the likes of
Audi
Q3,
BMW X1
and the
Mercedes-Benz
GLA in India.