First Skoda Kushaq with after-market CNG on video

Skoda launched the Kushaq a few months back. It is offered only with two petrol engines. However, now the prices of petrol and diesel have skyrocketed. Due to this, people have been looking at alternative fuel options like CNG. Here, is the first Skoda Kushaq that has been equipped with an after-market CNG kit.

The video is uploaded on YouTube by TheCarsShow by Arsh Jolly. The host shows us the Kuhsaq in which is the CNG is installed. He also tells the fuel economy and per kilometre running cost of the mid-size SUV.

The Kushaq we see in the video is equipped with a 1.0-litre TSI engine. The engine produces 115 PS of max power and 178 Nm of peak torque. However, while running on CNG the power and torque outputs are reduced by 4 percent to 5 percent according to the video. It is important to note that the engine comes with direct injection so the engine requires fine-tuning to run on CNG properly.

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The CNG has been installed by MLN Technologies, Gujrat. A 12 kg cylinder has been installed in the Kushaq’s boot that can take around 11.5 kgs of CNG if the pressure of the CNG pump is strong. The Kushaq is delivering around 22 km per kg to 25 km per kg. The per kilometre cost of the CNG equipped Kushaq was Rs. 3.5 per kilometre.

It is a sequential direct-injection kit that has been installed in the Kushaq. The electronic unit has been taken from KME Autogas, Poland. There is also a pressure reducer installed with the kit. It is taken from TA Gas Technology. The injectors are installed from KE Japan. They have already done a trial run of 400 km with the Kushaq.

Because it is a direct injection engine, the owner needs to have a minimum amount of petrol in the fuel tank. Otherwise, the injectors can get choked. The Kushaq consumes around 1 to 2 litres of petrol for 100 km.

The shop provides warranty of 2 years and Skoda will not offer any warranty from their end. It is also important to note that as of now, there is no clarity regarding how the Registration Certificate can be updated for after-market CNG equipped vehicles that are BS6 compliant. The cost of the CNG kit that we see in the video is Rs. 1.25 lakhs including labour.

Prices and Rivals

Skoda Kushaq starts at Rs. 10.49 lakhs ex-showroom and go up to Rs. 17.59 lakhs ex-showroom. The main rivals of the Kushaq are Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Nissan Kicks, Renault Duster and Volkswagen Taigun. Because of its pricing, is also competing against the Maruti Suzuki S-Cross, MG Astor, Mahindra XUV700 and Tata Harrier.

Specs

As mentioned above, Kushaq is offered with two petrol engine options and there is no diesel engine on offer. There is a 1.5-litre TSI and a 1.0-litre TSI. The 1.0 TSI produces 115 PS and 178 Nm. It comes mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission. The 1.5 TSI puts out 150 PS of max power and 250 Nm of peak torque. It is offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

Also read: Skoda Kushaq SUV”s official launch & price announcement timeline revealed officially