In 2021, the SAIC Volkswagen Skoda brand launched a new Octavia Pro model, as a new replacement model, its listing ushered in the landing of a new design concept of the Skoda brand. Shortly after the time of 2022, the Skoda brand can't wait to bring the new Skoda Kodiak family under a new design concept. This time, we were invited to the SAIC Volkswagen R&D Center in Anting, Shanghai, to have a static experience of the new Kodiak and the new Kodiak GT, and also to have an in-depth discussion with the leaders and designers of the Skoda brand to learn more about the story behind the new Kodiak family.
Brand new Kodiak
Based on the overseas version, it is integrated into the preferences of the Chinese people, and it understands Chinese consumers better
An automotive product, in the final analysis, is to sell to consumers, is to be designed for consumers, is to meet the needs of consumers born, the target consumer group has played a great role in car design. The new Kodiak targets young people aged 25-35, who generally want cars to have a more trendy and sporty design, while retaining Chinese demands specific to cars.
In order to meet the needs of the target consumer groups, the new Kodiak is based on the overseas version of the new Kodiak RS version in terms of design, and at the same time integrates the design elements that Chinese consumers like to hear, making it more local. Although the design has changed a lot, you can still easily identify that this is a Skoda, which stems from its exquisite flow crystal aesthetic design concept, which is in line with the traditional "crystal cutting" design of Skoda.
As a mid-term modification, the changes in the appearance of the new Kodiak focus on the new front face shape, the hexagonal grille applies a straight waterfall structure, and the details are embellished with chrome materials, while a curved design sets off the new Skoda brand LOGO, thus giving the front face a unique and refined atmosphere. Thanks to more advanced LED lighting technology, the size of the headlight group on both sides has been further reduced, but through the angular shape, the visual sense of momentum of the front face has been greatly improved. Although the lower part of the front face is derived from the overseas version of the RS version of the model, on the basis of maintaining the three-stage air intake, two inverted L-shaped chrome trim strips are integrated, which is more in line with the aesthetics of Chinese consumers.
Compared with the drastic changes in the front face, the body side changes much less than the current model, and the overall silhouette is still a solid feeling, which can make people obviously feel the sense of security it gives. The side of the car is depicted by a waist line running through the front and rear, and two lines at the side skirt, creating a three-dimensional feeling like a crystal cut. Chrome trim at the details and 19-inch silver-black double-five-spoke rims allow the new Kodiak to maintain a good standard of quality.
Coming to the rear of the car, the new Kodiak still continues the exquisite flow crystal aesthetic design concept, and the rear tail light group maintains the sharp shape design of the current model, but the internal structure has been adjusted, the overall shape is more recognizable, and the visual effect seems to be able to flow after lighting, which further enhances the exquisite sense of the whole vehicle. In addition, the new Kodiak also arranged a black trim plate connected to the reflectors on both sides in the lower part of the trunk cover, with the diffuser style shape of the rear encircling the lower part, and the trapezoidal exhaust decoration with two sides, which integrated the sense of sport into the overall design of the rear.
The new Kodiak GT
Details fine-tuned large area blackening The sporty atmosphere is more intense
As a model launched only in the Chinese market, the Kodiak GT has been filled with a large number of design elements exclusive to Chinese consumers since its birth. The new Kodiak GT, which was revamped in the medium term, not only strengthened the sporty atmosphere of the vehicle, but also upgraded the key points for Chinese consumers.
First of all, in terms of appearance, the new Kodiak GT does not inherit the design of the new Kodiak from the overseas version of the model, but upgrades on the basis of the current model, and adjusts the details to enhance the freshness of the vehicle. Among them, the front face part still adopts a trapezoidal intake grille, the internal application of a straight waterfall structure, and the surrounding chrome trim strips are replaced by a bright black material, which effectively enhances the sports atmosphere of the front face. In addition, the two sides of the split style blackened style LED headlight group, as well as the front surround on the through-type air intake shape has also been retained, but also for the promotion of the vehicle's sense of sportiness has also played a role.
Coming to the side of the body, you can clearly see the difference between the new Kodiak GT and the new Kodiak, compared to the thick silhouette of the Kodiak Dun and the flat straight roof line, the Kodiak GT is more agile visually, especially the roof line with a large incline angle, forming a similar to the back-up coupe SUV modeling design, coupled with a black painted roof, visually very smooth and dynamic visual effect. The Kodiak GT also comes with a 20-inch silver-black double-coated petal-style rim, which is more visually domineering than the new Kodiak's 19-inch rim.
The new Kodiak GT rear styling is also trying to create a sporty atmosphere, in which the characters on the rear tailgate are painted in black and red, which fits the sporty attributes of the whole vehicle. The rear windshield adopts a more inclined design, and is arranged with a black painted rear tail, with aerodynamic modeling decoration that surrounds the lower part of the rear, and a polygonal exhaust decoration with two sides, making the sporty atmosphere of the whole vehicle more intense.
Write at the end
As a mid-term redesign, the new Kodiak and the new Kodiak GT have been upgraded enough, especially the new Kodiak blends Chinese consumer preferences and the front face of overseas RS models, which can also be seen that the new Kodiak family is completely based on the needs of Chinese consumers. I believe that with the newly upgraded design, they will be able to attract the attention of many consumers. Of course, at present, these two models have only released the exterior design, and the interior design, which has also attracted much attention, will be officially released on January 17 next, we will bring their interior design analysis for the first time, if you are interested in them, you may wish to continue to pay attention to us.