Skoda has sold more than 500 Armoured Superbs since 2018, so it’s taken the only sensible next step following that success: made an SUV equivalent. This is the Kodiaq Armoured, built with UTAC Special Vehicles, a car that offers ‘exceptional levels of personal protection for occupants.’
Specifically, that means the Kodiaq meets PAS 300 Civilian Armoured Vehicle standards, and is sufficiently well equipped to be certified for PAS 301 when that comes into force as well. Testing to achieve that status means being shot at with more than 200 rounds of ammunition, plus ‘an assessment of blast resistance to the vehicle side, roof and underfloor.’ The extensive modifications for the SUV, including bullet resistant glass and steel armour, ensure it meets all the requirements.
As with the Superb equivalent, a range of powertrains is available for the new Kodiaq variant, though all will carry some additional weight because of the reinforcements. To account for that (an exact kerbweight hasn’t been released), there are brake and suspension upgrades to keep the Kodiaq reasonably neat and tidy.
Should a bullet penetrate a tyre, a retention system means even a flat won’t leave the rim, so progress can continue relatively unhindered. Does make you wonder who might need such features, but then the lights and sirens make it reasonably clear. For maximum security and the minimum of fuss, it’s hard to think of much better than a Kodiaq Armoured. Apart from maybe a Superb Armoured. Nobody’s going to think anything.
This retains lots of the standard Kodiaq features, too, including the smartphone-mirroring infotainment and the option of four-wheel drive. Though only offered in five-seat form (where the standard car has a seven-seat option), that does mean more than 2,000 litres of boot space. For whatever needs to be carried in an armoured car.
Just like a standard Kodiaq, moreover, this one’s even likely to be good value. The Superb Armoured starts at around £150,000, so we’d expect something similar from the Kodiaq. A huge amount more than standard, yes, but not bad in the world of armoured cars. A similarly equipped Mercedes might cost half a million, for example. And all that money saved could go towards more security guards.
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