THE second generation Skoda Kodiaq SUV has been launched which the Czech car maker says takes sustainability and efficiency to the next level.

With a new take on interior design and equipment, the new Kodiaq features a 13-inch infotainment display, innovative smart dials with haptic controls and a new range structure.

Five powertrains will be available offering outputs from 150hp to 204hp and the line-up will also include a plug-in hybrid version - a first for the Kodiaq - with an electric range of more than 60 miles. The two top engines are mated to all-wheel drive as standard.

Two petrol and two diesel models will be produced alongside the plug-in.

Also making their debuts are the latest generations of Skoda's LED Matrix headlights and the Dynamic Chassis Control system.

To date, 841,900 Kodiaqs have been produced and the vehicle is now sold in 60 markets worldwide. The series has also won more than 40 international awards since its launch in 2016.

Klaus Zellmer, Skoda's chief executive, said: "Our all-new flagship SUV has everything it needs to be a worthy successor in the Skoda Kodiaq line.

"The new Kodiaq takes the Skoda features our customers appreciate to the next level: more space, more features, and more efficiency. With innovations like the well-received smart dials and sleek interior materials, alongside elements from our Modern Solid design language and updated safety and assistance systems, the next-generation Kodiaq makes everyday exploring even more rewarding.

"We have also broadened our range of highly efficient powertrains, introducing a plug-in hybrid with an electric range of over 100km, furthering our commitment to sustainable mobility.

"Since its 2016 launch, the Kodiaq has played a crucial role in Škoda's growth, consistently striking a chord with our customers. The new Kodiaq is perfectly placed to continue this successful legacy."

The second-generation Kodiaq has grown compared to its predecessor and is 61 millimetres longer at 4,758 millimetres, with a wheelbase of 2,791 millimetres.

The width of 1,864 millimetres and an almost unchanged height of 1,659millimetres make for a spacious interior.

In the seven-seater version, passengers in the third row of seats now have 920millimetres of headroom, 15 millimetres more than in the predecessor.

Luggage capacity has also increased and in the five-seater version, it has grown by 75 litres to 910 litres without folding the rear seats down. With the rear seats folded down, maximum capacity has increased by 40 litres to 2,105 litres.

The seven-seater now holds 340 litres behind the third row of seats, 70 more than before, and 845 litres with the third-row seats folded down. This is an increase of 80litres.

The seven-seater's maximum cargo capacity is now 2,035 litres, 30 litres more than in the first generation.

The new Kodiaq is likely to be on the road in the UK by the summer of 2024 and although prices are still to be announced they are expected to start from around £35,000.