The all-new Skoda Kamiq crossover will get a big heart in Australia, set to launch with a 110kW turbo petrol engine shared with the Scala.
But potential buyers will have to wait, as the Czech brand delays the sales launch of both the Kamiq and Scala by “a matter of weeks” due to an electrical fault.
Previously, it was believed the Kamiq would only be available with a 85kW 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine at launch, which also powers the T-Cross and related Polo hatchback.
However, it seems a 110kW 1.5-litre four-cylinder could be the sole option for Australia when it goes on sale in the coming weeks, the same powertrain found in the related Scala hatch set to launch at the same time.
CarExpert spoke with a Skoda Australia spokesperson regarding the temporary sales stop on the Kamiq and Scala, who quietly confirmed the more powerful engine in their response.
“In certain limited circumstances when the vehicle ignition is turned on immediately after being unlocked, the functionality of the stop/start system in the Scala 110TSI and Kamiq 110TSI may not be properly activated,” the spokesperson told CarExpert.
“This may result in the Stop/Start function being intermittently disabled – illuminating a warning on the instrument cluster “Error: Stop-start system.”
“If this occurs, the Stop/Start system can be restored easily enough by re-starting the ignition. Even so Skoda doesn’t believe this is satisfactory for customers and is withholding the cars from sale until this is bug ironed out.”
This will give Skoda yet another point of difference in Australia compared to its Volkswagen parent. The T-Cross SUV with which the Kamiq shares its bones was initially going to be offered with the same 1.5-litre engine as the Skoda.
However Volkswagen Australia has instead left the T-Cross with one 85kW, three-cylinder engine option, and added a 1.4-litre four-cylinder variant of the larger T-Roc SUV to its line-up instead, complete with the same eight-speed torque converter automatic as the next-gen Golf and Audi A3.
Originally scheduled to arrive in local showrooms during the first half of 2020, first deliveries of the new Scala hatch and compact Kamiq SUV look to be pushed back until September as Skoda tackles the aforementioned electrical gremlin.
Skoda Australia indicated the fix should be applied in a “matter of weeks”, which could see the vehicles back on sale either in late August or early September.
We’ll have more details about the new Kamiq closer to when it goes on sale later this month or early next. Meanwhile, you can read our pricing and specifications breakdown for the Skoda Scala here.
For reference, the Volkswagen T-Cross starts at $27,990 plus on-road costs for the entry-level 85TSI Life, so we can expect Skoda to aim for just under the $30,000 mark with the base Kamiq.
Are you hanging out for the Skoda Kamiq and Skoda Scala? Let us know in the comments below
