Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun are the two much-awaited mid-size SUVs in the country. While the former is reported to arrive in the month of May, the latter will come near around this year’s festive season. Both models will come under Volkswagen Group’s India 2.0 project and underpin India-specific MQB AO IN platform.
According to a fresh media report, the upcoming Kushaq and Taigun SUVs will feature a new Play infotainment system that’s developed jointly by Volkswagen Brazil and Visteon (automotive component manufacturer). The new Volkswagen Play infotainment unit has a 10.1 touchscreen display with 1540×720 pixels resolution. The display, which has a split-screen setup, can also work as a rear view camera monitor.
While its global version (that debut on the Volkswagen Nivus SUV coupe) comes with multiple downloadable applications, the India-spec unit will feature built-in apps along with multiple personalization options. Volkswagen’s new Play system might also offer in-car Wi-Fi and live music and audio podcast streaming via SIM-based internet access.
The upcoming Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun will be made available with 1.0L, 3-cylinder turbo and 1.5L, 4-cylinder turbo petrol engines. While the former unit makes a peak power of 113bhp, the latter one is good enough for 147bhp. The 1.0L variants can be had with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed torque convertor automatic transmission. The 1.5L models will be exclusively offered with a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox.
The overall length, width and height of the Kushaq and Taigun will be similar. Both SUVs will have segment’s largest wheelbase of 2651mm. The models will measure 4221mm in length, 1760mm in width and 1612mm in height. In fact, the upcoming Skoda and Volkswagen compact SUVs will share most of their features. However, their design and styling will be different. Skoda has confirmed that the Kushaq will come in 5 colour options, namely, Tornado Red, Candy White, Carbon Steel, Brilliant Silver and Honey Orange.
