Skoda Kushaq compact SUV: Launch date officially revealed

Skoda has announced that the much-awaited Kushaq will be unveiled in India on 18th March. Skoda released the camouflaged exterior of the Kushaq and recently released the sketches of the cabin too. It is the first product to be based on the MQB A0 IN platform.

The Skoda Kushaq will take on the likes of Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Nissan Kicks and the likes in the segment. It will even take on the entry-level variants of the Tata Harrier and the upcoming Mahindra Scorpio. Skoda is likely to price the all-new Kushaq at around Rs 10 lakh for the base variant. It will become the brand’s most affordable SUV in the Indian market ever.

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The Kushaq will be the brand’s first made-for-India product. Since Skoda is heading India 2.0 strategy for the Volkswagen Group in India, the first car on the India-spec MQB A0 IN platform will be launched by them. Skoda first announced the Kushaq in 2018 and then showcased the prototype Vision IN. The final product will be very similar to the concept in terms of design. It will be manufactured at the brand’s Chakan plant in Maharashtra.

In terms of design, the Kushaq will get Skoda’s latest theme. The split headlamp design with LED daytime running lamps and the full LED headlamps will be quite distinct looking in the car. The fog lamps are positioned down below and the distinct Skoda grille will give it an identity. The car will come with 17-inch alloy wheels and functional roof rails that will also increase its height.

The cabin sketches reveal that the Kushaq will get a layered dashboard set-up with a thin chrome bar running across. There is a freestanding infotainment system in the middle that will offer a range of high-tech features. Also, the driver will get the Skoda Virtual cockpit’s view with a fully digital instrument cluster. However, we think that only the top-end version of the car will offer the expensive system.

Skoda Kushaq engines

Skoda has decided to do away with all the diesel engine options in the Indian market. Hence, it will get only petrol engine options. There will be 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol and a much more powerful 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine. The higher-powered version will get dual-clutch automatic transmission while the 1.0-litre version is likely to get a CVT unit. Both the engine options will offer manual transmission options as well.

It will be an FWD car and just like all other vehicles in the segment, the Kushaq will not offer any  AWD or 4WD option. Skoda will launch the Kushaq soon after its unveiling. However, before that, the brand will start accepting the bookings for the car. Skoda will also launch a slew of other cars in the Indian market this year including the new Octavia, new Kodiaq and the new Rapid.

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