Skoda Auto India has announced the brand has commenced production on the Kushaq SUV in India. The Skoda will produce the Kushaq SUV at the Skoda Auto Volkswagen India PVT LTD production facility in Chakan, Pune. The brand plans to commence customer deliveries from July 2021.
The Skoda Kushaq features the locally manufactured TSI powerplant and the MQB-A0-IN platform based on the MQB-A0 (Modular Transverse Matrix) architecture. Skoda leveraged the vast know-how of highly qualified local engineers to enable 95% localisation levels. This has helped Skoda achieve the brand’s traditional qualities along with the requirements of Indian customers.
Skoda earlier revealed that the Skoda Kushaq moniker translates as ‘King’. The word is derived from Sanskrit, a language that is indigenous to India. The language is still used in India and known as the ‘Language of Gods’. According to Skoda, the name Kushaq complements the SUVs, muscular proportions, striking design and comfort. But it will not be untrue if we say that the Kushaq is much more than that.
Powering the Skoda Kushaq is a 1.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine. The three-cylinder motor produces 115 PS of power and 175 Nm of torque. The Kushaq will also come with a 1.5-litre TSI turbo-petrol unit that makes 150 PS of power and 250 Nm of torque. Both engines come with a 6-speed manual, a 6-speed torque converter automatic and a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox option. But the SUV only offers a front-wheel-drive architecture. The Kushaq SUV measures 4225mm long, 1760mm wide, 1612mm tall, and comes with a wheelbase of 2,651 mm. The SUV also comes with a 385-litre of boot space.
The Kushaq SUV comes with features such as LED headlamps and taillamps with Skoda Crystalline effect. The SUV also gets an electric sunroof, 17-inch alloy wheels and hallmark Skoda design grille. On the inside, the Kushaq features Skoda two spoke steering with controls, analogue-digital instruments cluster, ventilated front seats, a 10-inch central touchscreen infotainment system with Skoda MyConnect, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, Skoda six-speaker sound system and a lot more.
The Skoda Kushaq will come with a plethora of active and passive safety features. The SUV gets ESC (Electronic Stability Control) as standard with all trims. This is a segment-first feature in the Indian market. The SUV also features three-point seatbelts on all seating positions, up to six airbags, automatic headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, hill hold control and a tyre pressure monitoring system etc.
Also Read: Should India get the Skoda Kodiaq vRS SUV?