Czech automobile-manufacturer Skoda Auto has unveiled its first seven-seater SUV, the Kodiaq in Berlin on Thursday. Named after Kodiak Island in Alaska, home of the 680kg Kodiak bear, the SUV has already been confirmed for India launch in 2017.

The Kodiaq is the first SUV extracted from the VisionS design study concept, Skoda unveiled at the 86th Geneva Motor Show in March. The Kodiaq's design is influenced by Czech cubism and the tradition of Bohemian crystal art. It features precise and crisp body lines and a face similar to the current generation cars of Skoda. The long wheelbase and short overhangs point to the large interior and the wheel arches are slightly angular. Signature C-shaped tail lamps gets LED treatment. The SUV will be available in a choice of 14 paint finishes and three trim levels – Active, Ambition and Style.

The Kodiaq is 4,697mm long, 1,882mm wide and 1,676mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,791mm. It is based on Volkswagen Group's modular transverse matrix (MQB). From the entry-level TSI engine and front-wheel drive, the SUV weighs from just 1,452kg.

Kodiaq is just 40mm longer than the Skoda Octavia. But the company claims Kodiaq offers a larger-than-average interior for the SUV. Vertically designed dashboard is simple and more practical. It houses four air vents and the central display. Optional ambient lighting adds an individual touch to the interior while standard fabric seats can be upgraded to leather or Alcantara. In five seater version, Kodiaq has 2,065-litres of boot capacity which is largest in the segment. In seven-seat format it goes down to 720-litres.

Skoda will offer Kodaiq in a choice of five engines: two TDIs and three TSIs. Engine in the range of 1.4-litre to 2.0-litre will develop power output from 123bhp to 189bhp. The most powerful petrol engine, the 2.0-litre TSI, will develop 177bhp while the most powerful diesel engine, the 2.0-TDI will belt out 189bhp. Depending on the engine, there is a 6-speed manual gearbox or DSG transmissions with six or seven speeds. All engines will feature engine Stop-Start system and brake energy recovery. The Kodiaq will also flaunt Driving Mode Select and Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC). Using these, the operation of the steering, accelerator, DSG transmission and suspension can be configured in multiple modes.