Czech automaker Skoda on Monday forayed into the midsize SUV phase in India with the launch of its new providing Kushaq, priced between Rs 10.5 lakh and Rs 17.6 lakh (ex showroom Delhi).
The mannequin, which is the firm’s first product designed and developed beneath the INDIA 2.0 mission and based mostly on the MQB A0 IN platform, comes with two petrol engines with energy output ranging between 85 kW (115 PS) and 110 kW (150 PS).
The BSVI compliant engine comes mated with a six-speed handbook gearbox, a six-speed automated and a seven-speed DSG transmission.
The 1 litre petrol trims with handbook transmission are priced between Rs 10.5 lakh and Rs 14.6 lakh whereas the automated variants are priced at Rs 14.2 lakh and Rs 15.8 lakh respectively.
The 1.5 litre handbook trim is priced at Rs 16.2 lakh whereas the automated (DSG) is tagged at Rs 17.6 lakh (all costs ex showroom).
Skoda, nonetheless, didn’t share the gasoline effectivity particulars of the fashions.
The Kushaq comes with varied lively and passive security options together with hill-hold management and a tyre-pressure monitor system, as much as six airbags amongst others.
The mannequin additionally comes with a alternative of two infotainment programs, every of which permits smartphone integration through SmartLink expertise.
The SUV is 4,221 mm lengthy, 1,760 mm vast and has a peak of 1,612 mm.
Its lengthy wheelbase of two,651 mm – which is amongst the longest in the phase – and a floor clearance of 188 mm.
The Kushaq relies on the MQB-A0-IN, a variant of the modular MQB platform specifically tailored by Skoda for the Indian market.
To obtain the desired localisation stage of 95 per cent, the automaker has arrange a brand new MQB manufacturing line at its Pune plant.
The SUV would compete with the likes of Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos in the excessive promoting mid-sized SUV phase.
Both the Creta and Seltos include petrol and diesel engines, whereas Kushaq is on the market with solely petrol powertrain choices.
“The launch of Kushaq is a watershed second for the firm as we enter certainly one of the most enjoyable segments in this dynamic automotive market,” Skoda Auto India Brand director Zac Hollis stated in an announcement.
The mannequin is made conserving in thoughts what actually issues to the prospects and is localised and tailor-made to swimsuit the Indian market, he added.
The Kushaq comes with globally famend TSI expertise (engine) throughout the vary, empowering an optimum mixture of efficiency, effectivity, refinement and output, Hollis stated.
“With a world-class SUV that’s prepared for India, we’re taking the Skoda model to new and rising markets throughout the nation,” he famous.
India has seen a strong enhance in SUV gross sales over the previous few years.
In 2015, the SUV phase contributed solely 13.5 per cent to the general passenger automobile gross sales.
This quantity turned about 26 per cent in 2019 and additional rose to 29 per cent in 2020.
With the Kushaq launch, Skoda plans to penetrate deeper into the nation by increasing its community to Tier II and III cities.
Skoda Auto India at present has 120 gross sales touchpoints in 85 cities and plans to increase to 150 touchpoints by the finish of 2021.
Under the India 2.0 Project, German automotive group Volkswagen had introduced in 2018 that it will make investments 1 billion euro between 2019 and 2021 as a part of its technique to reinforce presence in India which can be led by group agency Skoda Auto.
Skoda Auto has been answerable for urgent forward with the India 2.0 mission on behalf of Volkswagen Group since June 2018 and has additionally been orchestrating the actions of the Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche and Lamborghini manufacturers in India.
Under the mission, Skoda was envisaged to arrange an engineering design and improvement centre at Pune moreover enhancing capacities at the group’s two crops at Aurangabad and Pune.
Photographs: Kind courtesy Skoda India
