Rally World Champion Tests the KODIAQ RS

Rally World Champion Tests the KODIAQ RS

When it comes to cars, Jan Kopecký, the reigning world champion in the WRC 2 category, knows precisely what he likes. So how did the ŠKODA KODIAQ RS fare in his uncompromising test drive?

10. 1. 2019 MODELS KODIAQ

While the unstoppable ŠKODA FABIA R5 is his work car, Jan Kopecký uses the fastest version of the OCTAVIA – the RS 245 – as his everyday vehicle. He believes that great handling is essential for a good car, not to mention the ability to safely overtake another car at any time.

When he first saw the KODIAQ RS, the new sporty version of the popular ŠKODA SUV, he was very curious. “Personally, I associate SUVs with off-road driving, though I can understand how practical they may be for family needs,” said Kopecký, admitting that he was venturing into the unknown a little.

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Jan Kopecký
world champion in the WRC 2 category

“The KODIAQ RS really took me by surprise on the asphalt. It handles very confidently, responds quickly, and it’s definitely much more sporty than I expected. It’s got plenty of power and torque, it gives you a good position behind the wheel, and it’s very manoeuvrable for its size and weight. It’s simply a very well configured car,” he said, describing his first impressions.

ŠKODA KODIAQ RS

The ŠKODA KODIAQ RS makes no secret of its sporting ambitions. The twin-turbocharged 2.0 biTDI engine offers 240 PS and a flat torque of 500 Nm. Its four-wheel drive is always propelled by a seven-speed dual-clutch DSG gearbox, and its standard equipment includes an adaptive chassis and sports seats. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds, with a top speed of 221 km/h.

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Jan Kopecký was given the opportunity to give the KODIAQ RS a tough workout both on a challenging skid pan and on a large race circuit. He pulled no punches, and when it was over, his response was nothing less than enthusiastic.

He even went so far as to say that he would evidently be placing an order for a KODIAQ RS himself. “Most of all, I like its easy access to power. I can imagine overtaking a lorry really quickly with this car, and that’s great since safety should be paramount. The KODIAQ RS chassis is very rigid so it hardly tilts, and it’s also balanced very well. You can even take a light skid during driving, which is something you would not expect with such a big car,” Kopecký continues.

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And what surprised him the most? “This car sounds great! Inside and out, the sound is finely tuned. It definitely doesn’t sound like a four-cylinder diesel when you’re driving it – more like an eight-cylinder,” Kopecký concludes.

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