Skoda India is preparing in full swing for the launch of its much-awaited mid-size SUV, Kushaq which is scheduled to make its world debut in the month of March and the deliveries are likely to start sometime in the mid-2021. The Kushaq is based on the concept car, Vision IN which was showcased in the India Auto Expo 2020 and is underpinned by the new MQB-A0 platform.
Kushaq is the first car of the Skoda-Volkswagen Group which is underpinned by this platform which has been developed especially for the Indian market. The products based on this model will source most of their parts and basic elements from India and VW Group claims that the Kushaq has been 93 per cent localised till now.
In the mechanical department, Skoda has confirmed that the Kushaq will get two power mill options, a 1.0-litre 3 cylinder TSI petrol engine which is present in the other VW Group cars like Rapid, Polo and Vento though the one in the Kushaq is expected to get a different state of tune, the other engine option is the 1.5-litre 4 cylinder TSI petrol engine which also powers the Skoda Karoq and Volkswagen T-Roc. There will be three gearbox options; a 6-speed manual, a torque converter automatic and the sleek shifting DSG gearbox of the Volkswagen Group.
The test mule shots of the prototypes have been making its round all over the internet and as it looks the car will look quite muscular with a good road presence and the overall design will resemble the concept car to a great extent. The wheelbase is 2,651 mm as compared to 2,610 mm of Creta and Seltos which are its chief competitors in the SUV segment, does mean that the rear seats will have ample amounts of space.
The launch of Kushaq will further heat up the SUV segment’s competition which is already witnessing a spike in the demand. The likes of Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Nissan Kicks, Tata Harrier will give a tough fight, in fact, its own sibling the Taigun which is also based on the same platform is expected to be launched at the same time and will also be one among its chief rivals when launched.
