Skoda Kushaq Compact SUV to be unveiled in March 2021, confirms Zac Hollis

Skoda’s director of Sales, Service & Marketing, Zac Hollis has just confirmed that the Kushaq will be revealed in next month. Zac previously told that the SUV should get unveiled by the end of March about which you can read more by clicking here. So, it is good to know that the market factors have not affected or postponed the launch of the much-awaited Kushaq. Zac Hollis confirmed this information in a tweet when Twitter user @kalra_udai asked him “when can we expect the full reveal of Kushaq?” To which Zac simply replied “Next month”. The Kushaq will be the first vehicle under the brand’s India 2.0 plan.

The Kushaq will be underpinned by the MQB AO IN platform that is specifically made for India. It is a localized and modified version of the Global MQB AO platform. The global version of this platform underpins a lot of vehicles in the international markets. The Kushaq will come with 93 percent localisation which manufacturer aims to increase to 95 percent in the future. The Vision Concept on which the Kushaq is based on measures 4,256 mm long and 1,589 mm tall. The concept had a wheelbase of 2,671 mm which has been retained by Skoda making Kushaq one of the roomiest cars in the segment. There are only two vehicles that have a longer wheelbase than the Kushaq which are Renault Duster and Nissan Kicks.

Gurpratap Boparai, Managing Director of ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India Private Limited, added: “The introduction of the all-new ŠKODA KUSHAQ marks the first of several launches as part of the INDIA 2.0 project. Developed in India with the sophisticated, demanding consumer requirements in mind, the forthcoming launches on the India-specific MQB A0-IN platform is a matter of pride for us. ŠKODA KUSHAQ has been built using extensive on-ground intelligence and has been localised to offer tremendous value without any compromise in our legendary quality.”

Also read: MG Hector Facelift to be launched in 2021

As confirmed earlier, there will be two turbocharged petrol engines on offer with the Kushaq. First, there will be the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder TSI petrol engine that will produce 110 PS of max power and 175 Nm of peak torque. It will be offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. This is the same engine that we have seen on the Volkswagen Polo, Skoda Rapid and the Volkswagen Vento. Then there will be the more powerful 1.5-litre, four-cylinder TSI petrol engine that produces 150 PS of max power and a peak torque output of 250 Nm.

It will be offered only with a 7-speed Dual Clutch automatic gearbox and on higher variants of the Kushaq. It is the same engine which is available on the Skoda Karoq and the Volkswagen T-Roc. It will come with a lot of features such as cruise control, tyre pressure monitoring system, automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, upto 6 airbags, automatic climate control and a lot more. Skoda Kushaq will be competing against the Nissan Kicks, Maruti Suzuki S-Cross, Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, Renault Duster and the upcoming Volkswagen Taigun.

Also read: Upcoming Tata Hornbill HBX micro SUV front & rear in new spy shots