8 new cars from Skoda & Volkswagen for India: All new Vento sedan to T-Roc SUV

Skoda and its parent company Volkswagen are gearing up for launching a host of new car models and facelifts in the coming time as a part of their India 2.0 strategy. Volkswagen, in particular, has seen a big slowdown in sales since the last couple of years. As a part of the strategy, Skoda will take up charge in India for manufacturing and other activities. The group plans to introduce as many as 8 new cars in the market and regain the sales share again. Here are those 8 cars that Skoda and Volkswagen will launch here in future.

Skoda Kamiq

Expected launch by: 2020

Starting the list is the Skoda Kamiq, a compact SUV that will take on the likes of the Hyundai Creta and the Nissan Kicks among others. Sitting below the Kodiaq and the upcoming Karoq in Skoda’s model lineup, the Kamiq will be aimed at customers who want a feature-rich and premium alternative to its Hyundai counterpart. The upcoming Kamiq SUV will be based on the same platform that underpins the upcoming Volkswagen T-Cross, that is, the MQB-A0 platform. It has been already been caught testing internationally and Skoda will showcase the SUV in production form during the upcoming New York Auto Show and will bring it to India during the 2020 Delhi Auto Show. T-Roc

Skoda Rapid

Expected launch by: 2021

The Skoda Rapid is getting a bit long in the tooth, whichever way you look at it. While it looked quite cool when it arrived a long while back, the exterior is showing multiple signs and a refresh is long overdue. However, Skoda’s replacement for the Rapid, which will be using the new MQB A0 IN platform as the Volkswagen Virtus (Vento replacement). Powertrain options are said to include the new 1.0-litre turbo and the current 1.5-litre turbo both of which will be compliant with the upcoming BS-VI norms. However, if the smaller engine is opted for, expect a drop in performance to help them meet the new emission regulations

VW Vento

Expected launch by: 2021

The Volkswagen Vento like the Skoda Rapid is in need of a good old refresh. While its boxy design got the people’s attention when it came out quite a while back, it now looks rather boring thanks to the same old nearly unchanged design. Volkswagen will be replacing the Vento with the Virtus. However, unlike its Skoda sibling, the Virtus will only arrive in 2023, two years after the arrival of Skoda’s sedan. Like the Skoda before it, the Virtus is expected to be offered with petrol engine options including the 1.0-litre and the 1.5-litre units seen on the locals as an asset.

Skoda Karoq

Expected launch by: 

Skoda has already started the assembly of Karoq SUV in their Aurangabad plant. It will be brought here in CKD form and is based on Volkswagen’s MQB platform which we have already seen on other Skoda cars like Kodiaq, Octavia and Superb. On the outside, the Karoq looks like a smaller version of the Skoda Kodiaq SUV. Engine options on the SUV include a 1.5 liter turbocharged petrol unit and a 2.0 liter diesel unit. A BSVI compliant 1.6 litre diesel engine mated to a DSG gearbox could also be offered. Being a CKD, it would be priced around Rs 25-30 lakh and will rival the Jeep Compass and Hyundai Tucson.

Skoda Octavia

Expected launch by: 2020

Skoda will launch an all-new version of the Octavia here in 2020. The new Octavia will be based on the updated version of Volkswagen Group’s versatile MQB platform, which will be compatible with both plug-in hybrid and 48-volt mild-hybrid powertrains. The Octavia will get hybrid technology as well. The petrol version is expected to receive a 1.5-litre TSI engine. The diesel engine, on the other hand, will be an all-new 1.5-litre diesel engine that the company is currently working upon.

VW T-Cross

Expected launch by: 2021

The first salvo from Volkswagen as part of its new alliance will be the T-Cross SUV. The T-Cross is Volkswagen’s newest international SUV and will be made in multiple regions. The T-Cross was revealed in production guise earlier this year and the India-spec version of the T-Cros is expected to be closely related to the South American model which is also based on the VW Group’s MQB AO platform. The Inda-spec model is expected to share powertrain options with Skoda’s upcoming compact SUV.

VW T-Roc

Expected launch by: End 2019

Among the first launch by Volkswagen under its new strategy will be the T-Roc compact SUV. The T-Roc is a Hyundai Creta-sized compact SUV that is sold mainly in developed markets of Europe. Volkswagen plans to launch the vehicle in India by the end of this year and will bring it here via the completely built unit (CBU) route. The price range of the SUV will be on the higher side and a report suggests it will be around Rs. 17-20 lakh price bracket. However, to compensate the high price, the Volkswagen T-Roc will be stuffed with features and creature up to its neck. In Europe, the Volkswagen T-Roc gets 3 turbo petrol engines – in 1 liter (113 Bhp-200 Nm), 1.5 liter (148 Bhp-250 Nm) and 2 liter (187 Bhp-320 Nm) displacements but it is now yet known which of them will make it here.

Skoda Superb Facelift

Expected launch by: End 2019

The Skoda Superb has been on sale in India since a long time now. The executive sedan is known for its luxury and cabin space among other things. Skoda will launch a facelifted version of the sedan in India by the end of this year. The facelift will come with several design tweaks like more angular headlamps, redesigned bumpers and other changes. The interiors too will get a boost in order to take on the rivals like the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord. Engine options will likely remain unchanged for India. however, the new Skoda Superb will be the first-ever vehicle from the brand to get plug-in hybrid set-up.