Skoda Reveals Production Name Of The Vision IN Concept

• This will be Skoda’s first made-in-India SUV.

• Its launch will kick off Skoda-Volkswagen’s India 2.0 strategy in full force.

• The petrol-only SUV will be revealed in March and launched in mid-2021.

• It shares its platform with the Volkswagen Taigun, which will also arrive in showrooms around the same time.

• Prices are expected to begin from around Rs 10 lakh. 

• It will primarily rival the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos.

Skoda has finally revealed the name of its upcoming compact SUV which will kick off its India 2.0 strategy in full force. Dubbed the Kushaq, the SUV was first showcased at Auto Expo 2020 in concept form as the Vision IN. This will be Skoda’s first made-in-India SUV.

Skoda had also trademarked the names Kliq and Kosmiq, but chose to go with Kushaq, which is derived from a Sanskrit word meaning king or emperor. The name Kushaq has the same first and last letter as other Skoda SUVs such as the Karoq and Kodiaq.

The Kushaq will be based on VW-Skoda’s localised MQB-A0-IN platform, same as the VW Taigun. It is expected to get a familiar set of design elements such as Skoda’s trademark butterfly grille and the split headlamps like Skoda SUVs. Multiple spy shots and the Vision IN concept have revealed an upright bonnet, LED headlamps, high ground clearance, and wraparound LED tail lamps.

The Kushaq is expected to offer a bunch of features on the inside to keep up with its competitors in a hotly contested segment. It could get a floating touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, ambient lighting, digital instrument cluster, connected car tech, and a panoramic sunroof. On the safety front, expect multiple airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking camera, and rear parking sensors.

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Unlike its competitors, the Kushaq could come with not one, but two turbo-petrol engines. The smaller 1.0-litre TSI engine will put out 110PS and 175Nm, mated to either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed torque converter. The 1.5-litre TSI will put out 150PS and 250Nm and could get a 7-speed DSG as the standard transmission option.

Skoda has revealed that the Kushaq will be revealed in March, followed by a launch in mid-2021. We expect it to be priced around the Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom) mark. It will lock horns with the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Nissan Kicks, Tata Harrier, and MG Hector. Its launch timeline is similar to that of its sibling, the Volkswagen Taigun, but it will reach dealers after the Kushaq.