Skoda Kushaq 1.5 DSG with 6 airbags and TPMS: Launch timeline revealed

Skoda launched the Kushaq mid-size SUV in the market a few months back and it has been the best selling vehicle for the manufacturer for the past two months. One gripe that people have is that Skoda does not offer 6 airbags and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System with the top-end 1.5 DSG Style variant. Now, Zac Hollis, Skoda’s director of Sales, Service & Marketing has confirmed that they will be launching the Style variant with 6 airbags and TPMS. They will be formally announcing the pricing and availability in the next few days.

Zac Hollis revealed this information when a Twitter user asked him if Skoda will launch a 1.5 DSG Style variant with the additional equipment as there are some rumours floating around the internet. The Twitter user wanted to wait and get the newer version as he wanted 6 airbags and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

As of now, only the manual gearbox with Style variant is offered with 6 airbags. The same is also true for tyre pressure monitoring systems. Considering that the 1.5 DSG is the top-end variant, many people thought that Skoda should have offered TPMS and 6 airbags with it. Fortunately, Skoda will be adding both features. It is not known if the manufacturer will add both the features to the existing DSG Style variant or they will offer them as an optional equipment.

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The Style variant is the top of the line variant. It comes loaded with a lot of features. There is an auto-dimming IRVM, ventilated front seats,  push-button to stop/start the engine, anti-theft alarm, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlamps, split LED tail lamps, wireless charging, electric sunroof and high-performance speakers with subwoofer. Moreover, there are also 17-inch Atlas alloy wheels, chrome on the door handles, perforated black and grey upholstery, chrome on the dashboard and there is also front and rear armrest.

Engines and gearbox

The Kushaq is offered with a 1.0-litre TSI engine and a 1.5-litre TSI engine. Both are petrol engines and there is no diesel engine on offer. The 1.0 TSI is available on all the variants whereas the 1.5 TSI is reserved for only the top-end Style variant.

The 1.0 TSI produces 115 PS of max power and 178 Nm of peak torque. It is offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. The 1.5 TSI puts out 150 PS of max power and 250 Nm of peak torque. You can get it with a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

Fuel pump issues

Since Skoda launched the Kushaq in the Indian market, there have been quite a few breakdowns in which the new SUV’s engine just refused to start. The issue has happened only with cars that were equipped with the smaller 1.0 TSI engine. Skoda is already working on resolving the issue. The issue is because of the faulty fuel pump. These will be now replaced with a more “robust fuel pump unit that is more suitable to the varying fuel quality available in India.” as per Zac Hollis. The new fuel pump units are already being distributed to the dealerships so that they can replace them.

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