A UK ambulance service has taken delivery of a fleet of adapted Kodiaq emergency responder cars, which is said to be one of the brand’s most ambitious projects to date.
The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust has received 18 adapted versions of Skoda’s Kodiaq SUV, which have been professionally converted by the firm’s adaption partner Halls Electrical Ltd.
The models have been significantly adapted for their new duties, with changes including moving the 9.2-inch infotainment screen to the far left of the dashboard, and being replaced in the centre by a larger screen. This system is then able to deal with information such as 999 calls.
Alongside the ambulance livery and blue lights, the 720-litre boot has been maximised with life-saving equipment, additional storage compartments, a safe to store controlled drugs and a fire extinguisher.
Robin Gwinnett, learning and development manager for South Western Ambulance Service, said: “We have chosen the Skoda Kodiaq as our operational officer vehicle because of the space available for the specialist and technical equipment required by this staff group.
“The vehicle offers the level of safety and comfort that our crews demand from operational vehicles. It blends excellent on-road handling characteristics with enough off-road performance for the majority of the situations our operations officers face on a daily basis.”
See available Kodiaq dealsSkoda has one of the most comprehensive range of emergency services vehicles available to providers, while also offering a ‘one stop’ shop package, which can include maintenance, repairs, breakdown recovery and conversions all into one figure.