New Skoda Kodiaq vRS is a record-breaker

The upcoming Skoda Kodiaq vRS has set a new lap record for the fastest seven-seat SUV around the Nurburgring.

Top Gear presenter and ‘Ring specialist, Sabine Schmitz, hustled the 236bhp 2.0-litre, twin-turbocharged diesel engined car around the track in just 9 minutes 29.84 seconds.

With adaptive Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) including Driving Mode Select and progressive steering, the all-wheel-drive vehicle was perfectly equipped for its record-breaking lap at the Nordschleife.

The Kodiaq vRS was appearing in camouflage wrap ahead of its world premiere in October at the 2018 Paris Motor Show.

“The Skoda Kodiaq vRS is great fun on the track,” said Sabine. “Skoda has made full use of its large SUV’s potential with the Kodiaq vRS.

“I can certainly imagine that I’ll be encountering the Kodiaq vRS regularly during my laps around the Nordschleife in future.”

Just to put the Kodiaq’s time into perspective, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is the fastest five-seat SUV on a lap of the 12.9 mile Nordschleife, setting a time of 7 minutes 51.7 seconds last year.

That said, the Stevio 4×4 is blessed with a 2.9-litre 24-valve twin-turbo V6, delivering 503bhp and 442lb ft of torque.