Skoda Karoq SUV Unveiled in India- 10 Things You Should Know
The long-awaited Skoda Karoq 5-seater premium SUV has finally been unveiled in the Indian market. The SUV will make its public debut at the 2020 Auto Expo, starting from February 7. Not just Karoq, Skoda has also unveiled the Vision IN SUV based on the locally developed MQB AO IN platform. Here are 10 things you should know about the Karoq 5-seater premium SUV –
Premium 5-seater SUV
The Skoda Karoq will slot below the Kodiaq SUV, and will be positioned between the Kodiaq and the upcoming Vision IN based mid-sized SUV.
Based on MQB Platform
It is based on the Volkswagen Group’s versatile MQB platform, which also underpins the Kodiaq, Superb and the Octavia sedan. Volkswagen’s Tiguan and T-ROC are also based on this platform.
CBU unit
The Skoda Karoq will be brought as a Completely Built-Up Unit. It will be positioned as a premium SUV and likely to be priced in the range of Rs 18 lakh to Rs 25 lakh.
Launch in April 2020
Skoda’s director Zac Hollis has confirmed that the Karoq SUV will be launched in the second quarter of 2020. Bookings for the SUV will commence in the first week of April, while launch is expected towards the end of the same month.
Dimensions
In terms of proportions, the Skoda Karoq SUV is 4,382mm in length, 1,814mm in width and 1,605mm in height. The SUV has a long wheelbase of 2,638mm and stands at a ground clearance of 200mm. It is 104mm smaller, 35mm narrower and 52mm shorter than the VW Tiguan. In fact, the wheelbase of the SUV is 50mm lesser than the German counterpart.
Engine Options
The Skoda Karoq SUV is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which is compliant with BS6 emission norms. This engine is capable of producing 148bhp of power and 250Nm of torque. Transmission choices will include a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed DSG automatic.
Boot Space and Flexible Seat
The SUV also has a boot space of 521-litres, which can be further extended up to 1,810-litres by folding the rear seats completely.
Competition
In the Indian market, the Karoq will be positioned above the MG Hector and the Tata Harrier. The SUV will rival the likes of the Hyundai Tucson, higher variants of the Jeep Compass and the upcoming Citroen C5 Aircross.
5-star safety rating from EURO NCAP
The Skoda Karoq is one of the safest SUVs in its category. The Euro NCAP has awarded the SUV a score of 93% for its adult protection and 5 start rating overall.
Interior Features
The SUV comes with a wide range of comfort goodies and driver centric features. It comes with a large touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink. It also gets digital instrument console, Bluetooth telephony, navigation, reverse camera, automatic climate control with rear AC vents, and many more.
