VISITORS to this week’s Geneva Motor Show witnessed the unveiling of Škoda’s third model in its European SUV portfolio: the Škoda Kamiq.

As with the successful Škoda Kodiaq and Karoq, the name Kamiq also originates from the language of the Inuit people who live in northern Canada and Greenland: it means something that fits perfectly.

The Kamiq is the Czech brand’s second model featuring the new interior, dominated by the free-standing screen, ideally positioned in the driver’s field of view and, at 9.2 inches, the biggest in its segment.

A character line echoes the lines on the bonnet.

It also forms an ergonomic hand rest below the display for operating the touchscreen.

Measuring 10.25 inches, the optional Virtual Cockpit is also amongst the largest displays in the segment.

The interior of the new Škoda SUV impresses not only with its amount of space but also with its comfort options that are otherwise only seen in higher vehicle segments.

These include a heated steering wheel and heated windscreen. The Kamiq also offers heated seats, not only for the two front seats but also as an option for the outer seats in the back.

All of the Škoda Kamiq’s engines are direct-injection units with turbochargers.

They come with brake energy recovery as well as Stop/Start technology and comply with the currently strictest Euro 6d TEMP emissions standard.

The entry-level engine is a 1.0 TSI delivering 70 kW (95 PS). From its cylinder capacity of 1.0 litre, this three-cylinder model produces maximum torque of 175 Nm and features a manual five-speed gearbox.

The 1.0 TSI with a power output of 85 kW (115 PS) comes with a six-speed gearbox as standard, but can be fitted with a seven-speed DSG as an option. The top-end engine is the four-cylinder 1.5 TSI with a power output of 110 kW (150 PS), its Active Cylinder Technology (ACT) automatically shutting down two cylinders when the load is light, thus saving on fuel.

The four-cylinder 1.6 TDI diesel engine delivering 85 kW (115 PS) is coupled with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard; a seven-speed DSG is available as an option.

Overall, the Kamiq offers more than 20 Simply Clever features.

The Kamiq is the first car in its segment to offer the option of clever door-edge protection that deploys automatically when the doors are opened.

This system prevents damage to the Kamiq as well as nearby vehicles, particularly in tight parking spaces.

The optional electric tailgate proves to be another convenient feature. The tailgate can be opened and closed at the push of a button; thanks to its integrated tip-to-close function, it can also be closed by lightly pulling on the open tailgate.

From the Ambition trim level upwards, a removable LED torch can be found on the side in the boot.

The button to electrically unlock the retractable tow bar can also be found in the boot.

Pricing and final UK spec will be announced nearer its yet undisclosed launch date.