Skoda’s cheeky name change for SUV Kodiaq

As publicity stunts go, this one had real bear-faced cheek. In launching its new large SUV, called the Kodiaq, Skoda talked the Alaskan island of Kodiak, home to the Kodiak bear, into changing the spelling of its name to end with a “q”, like the car. And Skoda doesn’t even sell its cars in the US.

It looks large and has all the usual Skoda styling cues, but engine sizes start with a modest 1.4-litre petrol or diesel unit, rising to a 178bhp two-litre petrol motor with six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch DSG gearbox.

Prices haven’t been announced yet, but will probably be in the £22,500 to £35,000 region when it arrives in April. And with a maximum loadspace of 2,065 litres, there should easily be enough room for a couple of bears in the back.