Skoda Auto is reportedly working on a sub-4 meter SUV under its India 2.0 project. Speaking to Autocar, Thomas Schafer, Chairman of the Board at Skoda Auto, has revealed that the company is planning to foray into the highly competitive subcompact SUV segment in near future. The new Skoda compact SUV will be a global product with “good looks and margin”. The official launch timeline of the model is yet to be announced. Here, it will be positioned against the cars like Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Maruti Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon and Mahindra XUV300.
More details on the upcoming new Skoda compact SUV are likely to be revealed in coming months. Meanwhile, the Czech automaker is ready to introduce the Slavia sedan as a replacement to the Rapid. It will be the brand’s second production model to be based on the Volkswagen Group’s MQB A0 platform. The model will make its global debut on 18th November 2021 and its launch will take place in early 2022.
Engine setup of the Skoda Slavia sedan will include two petrol engines – a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbocharged and a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged. While the former pushes out a maximum power of 115PS and 175Nm of torque, the latter one is good enough for 150PS and 250Nm of torque. The model lineup will be offered with three gearbox options – a 6-speed manual gearbox (standard), a 6-speed torque convertor automatic (with 1.0L petrol only) and a 7-speed DSG automatic (with 1.5L petrol only).
Skoda also aims to enter into the Indian EV market in coming years. The first electric offering from the Czech automaker will be the Skoda Enyaq SUV designed on the modular MEB platform. The model measures around 4.7 meters in length and comes with the 55kWh battery pack. It offers an electric range of 340km. The Enyaq is also available with the 77kWh usable battery pack and RWD system, delivering a range of 510km. Its RS version comes with the 225kWh battery pack and AWD system.
