Czech automaker, Skoda has launched the Kushaq mid-sized SUV in the Indian market. The SUV is available in 3 trim levels – Active, Ambition and Style – in manual and automatic gearbox options. The Skoda Kushaq is the first product under the Volkswagen Group’s India Plan 2.0 with focus on locally developed products, platforms and technology.
The Skoda Kushaq is priced between Rs 10.49 lakh and Rs 17.59 lakh, which makes it a direct rival to the Hyundai Creta and the Kia Seltos. The SUV looks expensive as it is only available in petrol engine option. However, Skoda officials stated that the Kushaq is the safest SUV in its category and features TSI tech instead of MPI tech in rival SUVs.
After introducing the Kushaq, the Volkswagen Group now plans to launch 3 brand new products in the country in the next 1 year. All three models will be based on the heavily localised MQB AO IN platform, which debuted in the new Kushaq. All these models will be offered with the same 1.0L 3-cylinder turbocharged and 1.5L 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engines.
Volkswagen Taigun
Similar to the Kushaq, Volkswagen will introduce the Taigun mid-sized SUV in the next couple of months. Expected to be launched in August, the new Taigun SUV will be based on the MQB AO IN platform. It will rival the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and the Nissan Kicks. The styling of the Volkswagen Taigun is inspired by the brand’s global SUVs including the T-ROC and the Tiguan.
The Volkswagen Taigun will receive a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and the My VW Connect App for connected car features. In terms of features, the SUV gets VW’s virtual cockpit, automatic climate control, wireless charging pad, electric sunroof, six airbags, ESC, tyre pressure monitoring system, ABS with EBD, etc.
The SUV is reportedly to feature ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System), which will make it relatively premium over the Kushaq SUV. The SUV will come with two engine optons – a 113bhp, 1.0L 3-cylinder turbo petrol and a 147bhp, 1.5L 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol. Transmission choices will include a 6-speed manual as standard, a 6AT with 1.0L petrol, and a 7-speed DSG with 1.5L petrol.
Skoda Slavia Sedan
Skoda will introduce the new mid-sized sedan before the end of this year. The sedan has already entered the testing phase, and the production-ready prototype has been caught undergoing road testing. Codenamed ANB, the new sedan is likely to be called the Skoda Slavia. The Skoda Slavia will rival the Hyundai Verna, Honda City and the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz.
The Slavia will replace the ageing Skoda Rapid. Like the new-gen Octavia, the new ANB sedan will get the notchback-like styling. The sedan’s cabin will be sourced from the Kushaq mid-sized SUV. Engine setup of the upcoming Skoda Slavia sedan is likely to include a 1.0L TSI turbo petrol and a 1.5L turbo petrol unit. The same powertrains will do duty in the Kushaq SUV.
Volkswagen Virtus/New Vento
Volkswagen will replace the older Vento with an all-new mid-sized sedan in the first quarter of 2022. The new model will be designed and developed on the MQB AO IN platform. It is likely to share styling from the Virtus sedan, which is on sale in global markets. The VW Virtus has been spotted testing in India a couple of times.
The new VW Virtus sedan will be positioned against the Hyundai Verna, Honda City and the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz. The India-spec model will be built on the MQB AO IN platform, which also underpins the VW Taigun. It will share the engine options with the Taigun – a 113bhp, 1.0L Turbo petrol and a 147bhp, 1.5L turbo-petrol. Transmission choices will include a 6MT, 6AT (1.0L Petrol) and a 7-speed DSG (1.5L Petrol).
