Skoda Kodiaq RS sets Nurburgring record

A production version of the Skoda Kodiaq RS, Skoda's 236bhp sport utility vehicle, set off to conquer the almost 21km of the legendary racetrack in the west of Germany. As the car has yet to make its world premiere, its design details were camouflaged in white film emblazoned with the legend 'Skoda  Record Day' to tell one and all why the car was at the Nurburgring.

The Nordschleife is normally reserved for sports cars and super sports cars, agile hatchbacks and cars with various special modifications. Why not give the seven-seater a run on the legendary circuit, though? Sounds like a crazy idea. But Skoda went for it.

In order to clock up the fastest possible time, the Skoda team left nothing to chance. A nimble car needs a nimble driver, which is why a woman intrinsically linked to the Nurburgring got behind the wheel of this sporty SUV. Few people can boast as deep a knowledge of this circuit as racing driver Sabine Schmitz, still the only woman to have won the 24 Hours Nurburgring, who has completed more than 30,000 laps of the track in all manner of cars.