Skoda Kodiaq to dump diesel, go petrol-only: Launch in Q3 2021

Skoda has just unveiled the all-new Kushaq aimed at the Indian market. The all-new car will go on sale by July this year with the price announcement in June. The Indian market has become quite important for the Czech manufacturer and it will launch a slew of new cars in the market later this year. One of the interesting cars coming from Skoda this year will be the Kodiaq. Yes, the Kodiaq is returning to the Indian market with a much more powerful engine option.

Zac Hollis, Director of Sales, Service and Marketing, Skoda Auto India, has announced on Twitter that Skoda will launch the new Kodiaq in the Indian market in Quarter 3 of this year. This means that the new Kodiaq facelift will arrive in the Indian market by August or September this year. Hollis said that the Kodiaq will be the third launch of the Skoda in the Indian market.

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Skoda discontinued the Kodiaq from the Indian market in 2020 just before the BS6 emission norms kicked in. The new avatar of the car is around the corner. Interestingly, Skoda will not offer any diesel engine with the 7-seater Kodiaq this time. Skoda used to offer the TDI engines in India but at present, none of the Skoda vehicles offers a diesel engine option. The all-new Kodiaq will follow the company’s new strategy of discontinuing the diesel engines.

The third launch this year will be the facelifted Kodiaq, which we will launch in Q3 with the powerful 2.0TSI engine.

— Zac Hollis (@Zac_Hollis_) March 19, 2021

The new Kodiaq will come powered by a 2.0-litre TSI engine. It is a four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. It develops a maximum power of 187 Bhp and a peak torque of 320 Nm. Only the DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission is available with the engine option. The Kodiaq diesel developed a maximum of around 148 Bhp and a peak torque of 320 Nm. The petrol version will be much more powerful.

Launch delayed

Zac Hollis earlier commented that the new facelifted Kodiaq will be launched in early 2021. However, the launch has been pushed by a few months, which is likely due to the supply-chain issues that many manufacturers are facing around the world.

The new Kodiaq will offer a tweaked exterior but largely the car remains identical to the outgoing version. On the inside though, a lot of additions can be expected. To start with, the design layout of the dashboard will remain the same as the outgoing Kodiaq. However, new features like a virtual cockpit instrument cluster and an updated infotainment system will make the cabin much more luxurious and high-tech.

The Kodiaq already offers features like a panoramic sunroof, and many practical features like removable cabin lamps, microphone connected speakers to easily talk to the second and third-row passengers. Skoda also offers a range of active and passive safety features.

The new Kodiaq will take on the likes of Volkswagen Tiguan AllSpace, Toyota Fortuner, and even the BMW X1. All these vehicles offer a petrol-automatic option.

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