Skoda's 7-seat SUV to be revealed by end of this year - Report [Update]

Update - German magazine Auto Bild has released an artist impression of the Skoda three-row SUV. The accompanying description says the car would be 4,700 mm long, have a design that is similar to the Superb, and comfortably accommodate 7 passengers.

Based on the new Superb's platform.

Australia's CarAdvice cites sources as saying that the Skoda 7-seat SUV will be revealed by the end of this year, months in advance of a debut that was originally planned for the Geneva Motor Show in March 2016.

Codenamed 'A-Plus', the SUV will be based on the same MQB platform as the new 2016 Superb, though its design (Skoda is yet to reveal a concept) and even name is pure speculation as of now. A report in December 2014 claimed that select publications were shown the SUV, but were not allowed to take pictures of the vehicle.

In a past interview, Skoda's head, Dr. Winfried Vahland, hinted that the A-Plus will rival SUVs such as the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento in the European market, but will be priced far competitively. The official confirmed that 'Snowman' was not the name of the SUV. CarAdvice reports that Skoda is considering between four names, but is no hurry to choose one at the moment.

Also read: Skoda Octavia vRS Indian launch unlikely

Skoda has indicated that it will cater to the premium segments of the Indian car market with the likes of the Octavia and Superb. Hence, the brand could consider introducing the A-Plus as a rival to the Toyota Fortuner, though company officials are yet to announce plans as such.

Competitors: Hyundai Santa Fe,Toyota Fortuner, Kia Sorento
Expected Price: INR 25-30 lakhs, ex-Showroom
Launch date: 2016 in Europe

[Source - CarAdvice & AutoBild.de]