The new Skoda Kodiaq vRS features the most powerful production diesel engine in the Czech firm's history.

The new machine is the first SUV to feature the high-performance vRS badge, and company boss Bernhard Maier called it “the new spearhead in our SUV offering".

The Kodiaq vRS, which will be offered with either five or seven seats, features a 237bhp 2.0-litre biturbo direct-injection diesel with 369lb ft from 1750rpm to 2500rpm. It has a claimed 0-62mph time of seven seconds and top speed of 137mph. Skoda claims it has fuel consumption of 47.1mpg and CO2 emissions of 157g/km, both measured on the soon-to-be-replaced NEDC cycle.

The machine features a seven-speed DSG gearbox, variable all-wheel-drive and, for the first time in a Skoda, dynamic sound boost. The Kodiaq vRS also has adaptive chassis control, which includes six drive modes and electronically adjusted shock absorbers. Progressive steering is also included as standard.

The Kodiaq vRS sports a number of subtle design tweaks to differentiate it from the regular model, including bespoke front and rear bumpers, vRS logos, gloss black bodywork elements and a new design of 20in alloy wheel. The car also introduces Skoda's redesigned vRS logo, which now has a red V and stripe ahead of the RS, in place of the green currently used. This logo will replace the current logo on all vRS models in the future. 

Inside, Alcantara-covered seats and door trims are standard, along with a carbonfibre-effect instrument panel. Ambient LED lighting, tinted windows, a black roof lining and stainless steel pedals also help the vRS stand out from a regular Kodiaq.

Skoda’s version of the Virtual Cockpit system is included as standard, and features a bespoke display mode showing a rev counter and speed in the centre of the display. There’s also a sports steering wheel.

The dimensions of the large SUV are unchanged, including the 600-litre boot in five-seat mode (231 litres in seven-door form). UK pricing has yet to be confirmed.

It will be the second model in Skoda’s vRS line-up, which currently only consists of the Octavia vRS. The UK and Germany will be sales hot spots for the performance-biased Kodiaq given that, in Britain, 20% of Octavia sales are of the vRS version.

The brand previously sold a Fabia vRS, before ending production in 2013 due to poor sales. However, Skoda is understood to be planning a return to the hot hatchback market with a Fabia vRS hybrid in 2020.

The Kodiaq vRS has lapped the 12.94-mile Nürburgring in 9min 29.84sec, a lap record for a seven-seat SUV around the famous circuit, and only 1min 38:14sec slower than the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, which currently holds the SUV lap record. Famed 'Ring driver Sabine Schmitz was behind the wheel of the Kodiaq.