Car News News

Skoda Karoq could return as a locally assembled SUV

Written by Nizam Shaikh

Skoda introduced the Karoq SUV in the Indian market last year after showcasing the SUV at the 15th edition of the Auto Expo 2020. The brand had allotted 1000 units of the Karoq SUV for the Indian market which got sold out for last year. Foreign manufacturers can import 2500 units of vehicles per year without the need for homologation and the Skoda Karoq was brought to the Indian soil via the same route. 

Now it is being reported that the Skoda Karoq is likely to make a comeback and this time the company could be planning to bring the SUV via the CKD route, which will significantly decrease its price. The Skoda Karoq was launched in May 2020 at the price of INR 24.99 lakh ex-showroom and even though it was priced higher than the competition such as the Volkswagen T-Roc and the Jeep Compass, in the Indian market, the Karoq was popular in demand and the brand sold all of its stock in nearly 5 months despite the COVID-19 pandemic situation. 

The Skoda Karoq SUV was powered by a 1.5-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine that produces 150 PS of power and 250 Nm of torque matched to a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox. The brand claims a fuel economy of 14.49 on the WLTP cycle. The Skoda Karoq is based on the MQB platform and features Skoda’s hallmark design language. The car also comes with exterior features such as a vertically slated grille, LED headlamps, integrated LED daytime running lights, LED taillamps, raised bonnet, and chiselled body design. 

The Karoq also comes with interior features such as an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with SmartLink, Skoda Virtual Cockpit digital instruments cluster, dual-zone climate control AC and safety features such as 9-airbags, ABS+EBD, reverse parking assist, hill start assist and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP).