Skoda Kamiq is a front-wheel drive SUV of a subcompact category, the name of which comes from the language of the Inuit (the indigenous population of parts of Canada and Greenland) and denotes an item so suitable for its owner that it can be compared to a second skin ... In the Czech company, the five-door is positioned as an urban crossover for active youth leading a "modern, adventure-oriented lifestyle" ...
The car, which Skoda calls one of the most practical and high-tech representatives in its class, was officially declassified in the European specification on February 26, 2019 - during an online presentation, and this event was preceded by a long series of teasers and announcements. This SUV is maximally unified with the Skoda Scala hatchback and is capable of boasting at least twenty practical Simply Clever gadgets.
The exterior of the Skoda Kamiq implements the latest developments of the Czech automaker, thanks to which the crossover looks cute, proportional, fresh and quite emotional.
In front, the five-door flaunts dashing lighting equipment with upper sections of running lights (they are also turn signals) and lower blocks of main headlights, successfully complemented by a "family" radiator grille with chrome edging and an extravagantly decorated bumper.
In profile, the SUV catches the eye with its balanced and toned outlines with a slightly sloping hood, a littered roofline, clear embossing on the sides and correct cutouts of wheel arches that can accommodate rollers up to 18 inches.
And from the rear, the car looks good - its stern is decorated with stylish boomerang lanterns, a neat trunk lid and a raised bumper.
Kamik is a representative of the subcompact community according to European regulations: its length reaches 4241 mm, its width does not exceed 1793 mm, and its height fits into 1531 mm.
The distance between the wheels of the front and rear axles is 2651 mm for the crossover, and its ground clearance is 170 mm.
The interior of Skoda Kamiq has an attractive and modern, but rather restrained design, which is emphasized by impeccable ergonomics and solid workmanship.
The driver's workplace in the car is formed by a stylish multifunctional steering wheel with a three-spoke rim and pronounced tides in the correct grip area, as well as a laconic instrument cluster with analogue scales and an on-board computer display (as an option, it can be replaced by a virtual "toolbox" with a 10.25-inch scoreboard) ...
The central console carries a tablet of the multimedia complex (6.5, 8.0 or 9.2 inches), under which there are symmetrical ventilation deflectors and an unpretentious, but extremely understandable climate "control".
According to the passport, the decoration of the subcompact SUV has a five-seater layout, but in fact the three of them in the second row will not be entirely comfortable - the reason for this is the high floor tunnel and the protruding "curbstone" with ventilation deflectors.
At the front of the "apartment" there are spectacular armchairs with bright lateral support, integrated headrests and a wide range of adjustments. The rear passengers are given an ergonomically profiled sofa with a folding armrest in the central part.
With practicality, "Kamik" is in complete order: in normal condition, its trunk demonstrates an almost ideal shape and is able to accommodate 400 liters of luggage (not counting the additional niche under the raised floor and niches on the sides).
The second row of seats folds into a completely flat area in two parts, increasing the cargo space to 1,395 liters. In addition, for a surcharge for the car, a folding back of the front passenger seat is offered - such a transformation allows you to transport objects up to 2450 mm in length.
For Skoda Kamiq, a wide range of power units is provided that send all the power exclusively to the wheels of the front axle:
- Basic versions are equipped with a 1.0-liter three-cylinder TSI engine with turbocharging, direct injection, 12-valve timing and variable valve timing system, available in two boost options:
- 95 horsepower at 5000-5500 rpm and 160 Nm of torque at 1800-3500 rpm;
- 115 h.p. at 5000-5500 rpm and 200 Nm of rotational potential at 2000-3500 rpm.
- "Top-modification" contains under the hood a 1.5-liter petrol "four" TSI with a turbocharger, direct "power" technology, a DOHC timing belt with 16 valves and phase shifters at the inlet and outlet, which generates 150 hp. at 5000-6000 rpm and 250 Nm of peak thrust at 1500-3500 rpm.
- The diesel version is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder TDI unit with a turbocharger, battery injection, urea neutralization and a 16-valve timing belt that develops 115 hp. at 3250-4000 rpm and 250 Nm of torque at 1500-3250 rpm.
- Closing the power palette is the methane 1.0-liter "triple" G-TEC, which has a potential of 90 hp. and 145 Nm.
Motors with a capacity of 95 and 90 hp. docked with "manual" gearboxes for five and six gears, respectively, while all other units can work in tandem with both a 6-speed "mechanics" and a 7-band "robot" DSG.
The Skoda Kamiq is based on the "junior" modular platform MQB-A0, which is distinguished by a transversely mounted engine and a monocoque body with a wide proportion of high-strength grades of steel in the structure.
On the front axle of the car, an independent suspension of the MacPherson type is used, and on the rear there is a semi-independent system with an elastic beam (both there and there - with anti-roll bars). In addition, for additional money for the crossover, you can order a sports chassis - with electronically controlled shock absorbers (they have two operating algorithms - Normal and Sport) and a ground clearance reduced by 10 mm.
By default, the SUV is equipped with rack and pinion steering, supplemented by an active electric amplifier.
All wheels of the "Czech" are equipped with disc brakes (ventilated at the front), working with ABS, EBD and other assisting electronics.
"Live" Skoda Kamiq will first appear before a wide audience in March 2019 at the Geneva Motor Show, and its sales in Europe will begin in September (configurations and prices will be announced in late spring, but presumably - from 17 thousand euros). It is quite possible that the car will reach the Russian market, but this will not happen soon.
Already in the "base" this SUV boasts: front and side airbags, ABS, EBD, ESP, air conditioning, four power windows, 16-inch wheels, a media center with a 6.5-inch screen, an audio system, electric drive and heated mirrors and some other equipment.
In turn, the "top" versions have in their arsenal: a digital instrument cluster, adaptive cruise control, heated all seats, steering wheel and windshield, dual-zone climate control, fully LED optics, an electric luggage door, a multimedia complex with a 9.2-inch display, automatic parking system and "darkness" of other modern options.
