In its sporty MONTE CARLO version, the ŠKODA KAMIQ city SUV displays the Czech automaker’s rally roots perfectly. It’s not only the traditional MONTE CARLO name, first borne by the limited edition of the ŠKODA POPULAR in 1936; above all, it’s the perfect suspension setup with lots of grip and toughness when cutting corners on the backroads.
Thanks to the famous rally, Monte Carlo is a household name for all motorsport fans - especially rally fans. The traditional WRC event has been taking place regularly since 1911 and ŠKODA has celebrated many a notable success on its stages. Let’s just remember the great finishes of the ŠKODA 130 RS in the 1970s, the admirable results of Armin Schwarz with the OCTAVIA WRC at the turn of the century or the recent victories of Andreas Mikkelsen and Jan Kopecký in the WRC 2. The ŠKODA KAMIQ is the brand’s second SUV to appear in a sporty-lifestyle MONTE CARLO version.
Attractive details with a sporty flair
Besides the characteristic two-piece Full-LED headlights, the dynamic looks of ŠKODA KAMIQ MONTE CARLO are also enhanced by the gloss black frame of the radiator grille. The front bumper trim is black, as are the rearview mirror covers, roof carrier, sills and the ŠKODA lettering in the middle of the tailgate. The unmistakable style of the ŠKODA KAMIQ MONTE CARLO is then emphasised by 17-inch – or optionally 18-inch – lightweight black alloy wheels in a unique design, as well as the black diffuser, black model designation and full-LED taillights.
In the cabin of the ŠKODA KAMIQ MONTE CARLO, a pair of sports seats with integrated headrests welcome the driver and passenger. The multifunctional steering wheel is covered with perforated leather and like the gearstick and handbrake lever, it’s adorned with a red stitching.
Excellent suspension tuning
However, the car’s main strength is its perfectly set-up optional SCC sports suspension with selectable damper stiffness and 10 mm lower ride height. The Normal and Sport modes are great at controlling the movement of the tall bodywork and combine suppleness, comfort and excellent handling in a balanced way. Even in the Sport mode, the suspension is not too stiff, which you will especially notice on broken surfaces. Behind the wheel, you would say that your race engineer has just nailed the setup with the softer suspension settings tried and tested on the Sospel – La Bollène Vésubie stage of the legendary Monte. On the broken tarmac right before the ascent to Col de Turini, you need a softer car with a great deal of mechanical grip - exactly like the KAMIQ MONTE CARLO.
With the longer suspension travel of the taller car, the wheels are always planted on the road and you can enjoy a really dynamic drive. Rally fans know that this might come in handy when going from one rally stage to another. There’s one more way in which the KAMIQ MONTE CARLO really evokes the rally car – its calm and poised stability when cutting corners. If you see well ahead, you can shorten your line through the corner by going over the inside shoulder. The KAMIQ nicely drops both inner wheels into the cut without the body shaking or the car becoming nervous in its line. That’s another sign of a perfect damping setup.
Spacious interior and wide range of engines
KAMIQ is the second ŠKODA car to have a cabin designed to new concepts. Even though the dimensions are compact, the interior space is one of the biggest in its class. The 400-litre luggage compartment is plenty big enough for photographic gear, or luggage for a weekend trip to the rally. If needed, it can be enlarged to 1,395 litres by folding away the backrests of the rear seats.
The KAMIQ MONTE CARLO offers three TSI petrol engines with 1.0 or 1.5 litres of displacement, and the 1.6 TDI diesel engine, ranging from 70 kW (95 hp) to 110 kW (150 hp). The engines are fitted with five- or six-speed manual gearboxes, or a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox.
