Czech Police receive 352 RS-powered Skoda Kodiaq patrol SUVs

Skoda’s Media Room details 352 second-generation Kodiaq patrol SUVs for Czech Police, with RS tech and “spy mode”. Read the full equipment overview.

Czech police are bringing 352 new second-generation Skoda Kodiaq SUVs into service — and these aren’t just civilian cars with reflective stickers. The vehicles were developed with direct input from officers, with engineers in Mlada Boleslav building on hard-earned experience from the first-generation Kodiaq police fleet and tailoring the package for demanding duty.

Performance and control sit at the heart of the upgrade. The new patrol cars use the sporty RS technology: a turbocharged 2.0 TSI petrol engine producing 195 kW, all-wheel drive, and a DSG automatic transmission. Specially tuned DCC+ adaptive dampers are also part of the setup, aimed at keeping a heavy SUV composed when the job calls for rapid responses and decisive manoeuvres.

Some of the most important changes are mechanical. The cars move to 18-inch alloy wheels in place of steel rims with plastic covers, improving cooling for an upgraded, more robust braking system sourced from the seven-seat version of the SUV. A quick switch into sport mode is also available, allowing drivers immediate access to full drivetrain and chassis performance when seconds matter.

Visibility equipment has been modernised as well. The main blue-and-red light unit sits on the roof, while additional lights are integrated into the lower section of the windshield, on both sides of the front grille, and even on the inside of the tailgate so the vehicle remains clearly visible when the trunk is open. Blue and red strobe units are also embedded in the rear bumper and front fenders. Inside, a dedicated control panel manages the lights and siren, and space beneath the climate controls is reserved for a radio unit.

The cabin is fitted for everyday policing. Practical additions include a safety hammer for breaking windows and a second interior rearview mirror used to monitor arrested people. One of the standout functions is “spy mode”, enabling the car to operate without illuminated headlights — something the standard model cannot do, according to the story. For covert night operations, that capability could be decisive. To handle the heavier electrical load, the new patrol vehicles add an auxiliary battery and enhanced charging capacity.

Cargo layouts differ depending on assignment. First-response vehicles include a secure weapons safe for long firearms. Traffic patrol cars use a metal frame with two pull-out drawers that can unfold into a small office for documents, IDs, and breathalysers, plus a paper-holding system designed to stop paperwork from being blown away during roadside work. Despite the added equipment, the Kodiaq still offers a 910-litre luggage compartment, leaving space for further gear.

The rear seating area has been adapted with policing in mind. For the arrested-transport position behind the front passenger seat, the belt buckle is placed on the door side so an officer doesn’t have to lean over the detained person. The belt can also be pre-positioned by securing it to the front headrest. For easier cleaning, the rear bench is upholstered in synthetic leather.

One of the most distinctive features is the front safety ram designed for PIT manoeuvres, where officers nudge a fleeing vehicle near the rear wheel to induce a spin and bring it to a stop. The story notes that earlier police Kodiaq and Octavia models have already proven the effectiveness of this system.

The second-generation Kodiaq’s policing role is expanding beyond the Czech Republic. The model is in service with the state police in Hesse, Germany, and it has recently passed approval tests for law-enforcement use in the United Kingdom. As police fleets face rising expectations for safety, capability, and equipment integration, factory-developed “purpose-built” patrol vehicles like this Kodiaq may increasingly define how agencies modernise their frontline cars.