Skoda Kodiaq RS in the works

Skoda has conformed it’s working on a go-faster RS version of its Kodiaq SUV, with a tyre-tearing track teased video starring Nurburgring ace Sabine Schmitz.

The Kodiaq RS will be the largest performance Skoda to date, but the Czech carmaker is yet to reveal any other details, beyond a glimpse of a heavily camouflaged vehicle resplendent in bright red rims.

However, it’s believed it will feature the 177kW/500Nm 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel found under the bonnet of its Volkswagen Passat 2.0BiTDI cousin, that tops the range in Europe.

That would put it right up against the Jaguar F-Pace 25d Portfolio, which has 2.0-litre twin-turbo Ingenium diesel and pushes out the same numbers.

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The most powerful engine currently in the Kodiaq range is the 140kW/400Nm turbo diesel in the 140TDI and the looks-faster 140TDI Sportline.

One morsel Skoda has conceded is the Kodiaq RS will be a seven seater, which would make the third-row a pretty interesting place to be on bendy roads – you’d probably want to option extra grab handles and a bucket.

There’s not much else to decipher from the video, which is more a behind the scenes look at some kind of record attempt around the Nürburgring Nordschleife featuring Schmitz behind wheel, and Kodiaq RS project head František Drábek along for the ride.

Skoda promises to reveal more by the end of the week, though we won’t have a full picture of the 2019 Kodiaq RS until it’s official unveiling at October’s Paris Motor Show.