First Look At Skoda Kushaq Monte Carlo Ahead Of May 9 Launch

• Cosmetic upgrades include blacked-out inserts, special 17-inch alloy wheels, Monte Carlo badging, as well as two dual-tone body shades.

• All-black interior theme with red inserts on the seats, dashboard and door panels.

• Feature additions include the Slavia’s 8-inch digital driver display, and electronically folding ORVMs that used to be on the Style trim.

• Likely to be limited to the 150PS 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine with 6-speed manual and 7-speed DSG automatic transmission options.

• Price premium likely to be around Rs 50,000 over the Style variant.

It's not too long before we see the Skoda Kushaq gain a new top-spec Monte Carlo variant on May 9. But before that, we’ve managed to spot it at dealerships already. The latest images we’ve gotten our hands on give us an insight into the sort of enhancements that are coming for the top-spec Style-based trim.

So, what’s the unique-identity factor in Monte Carlo? For starters, a lot of the ‘bling’ is gone, and instead we get blacked-out bits on the tailgate, bumpers, front grille and doors to give it a sporty feel.  Head over to the sides, and we’ve got new 17-inch alloy wheels that look similar, if not identical, to the ones on the previous-gen Skoda Octavia RS245. Aside from the Monte Carlo badging on the front fenders, it’ll be offered in red/black and white/black dual-tone shades.

 

The dual-tone nature will continue inside, with the Kushaq Monte Carlo featuring a black theme, with red inserts on the upholstery. In fact, the gloss red inserts extend to the dashboard as well as the door panels, adding a nice contrast to the Kushaq MC’s all-black theme. Look above the door panel, and you’ll find the Monte Carlo sporting electronically foldable ORVMs, which used to be present in the Style, until it was axed due to the global semiconductor shortage. 

More importantly, we spotted the biggest addition in this new top-spec variant in the form of Slavia’s 8-inch digital driver’s display. Other features such as a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, ventilated front seats, wireless charging, a sunroof, and connected car tech will be retained.

We still don’t know what will be powering the Kushaq Monte Carlo, but we think it’ll be limited to the 150PS 1.5-litre turbo-petrol TSI engine, with a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed DSG option. There’s also a 115PS 1-litre turbo-petrol TSI engine limited to 6-speed manual and 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox options, but we think it’ll only be offered for the standard Kushaq.   

Skoda India is likely to launch the Kushaq Monte Carlo at a price premium of up to Rs 50,000 over the top-spec Style that retails at Rs 18.19 lakh (ex-showroom, India), owing to the enhancements on board. This should better the Kushaq’s positioning against the likes of the MG Astor, Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Tata Harrier, MG Hector, Renault Duster, and Volkswagen Taigun.