Skoda Kushaq: A new kind of Skoda
If you want a car that is sporty yet fun, fast yet frugal, Skoda Auto has been your go-to brand for well over 20 years. But now, with the new Skoda Kushaq, experiencing the blend of luxury and value that Skoda offers is much more attainable. It is a genuinely new take on a well-liked formula, having been completely developed in India for the Indian market.
The excitement that the Skoda Kushaq offers is apparent as soon as you set eyes on it. The unmistakable Skoda look has been reinterpreted for the new segment the Skoda Kushaq competes in. All the premium design cues like the crisp LED lighting, the butch butterfly grille and sharp bodywork have been represented in a functional yet compact SUV form that is meant to maximize the Kushaq's curb appeal.
But with the solid engineering that is a given with any Skoda, these flourishes come with very few downsides. This is due to the MQB-A0-IN architecture that the Skoda Kushaq has been built around. No effort has been spared here, this architecture has been specially developed for India by Skoda Auto and the gains are not hard to see, especially on the inside. The Skoda Kushaq has the longest wheelbase of any SUV in its segment. As you would expect in a Skoda, the quality and richness of the cabin is unmatched. There are plush textures and materials, and a striking layout that maximises practicality with over 26 litres of cabin storage.
The Skoda Kushaq is the most tech-loaded Skoda in India yet. The new touchscreen which is the cabin's centrepiece offer wireless Android Auto/Apple Carplay and even an in-built app store! There is a full suite of connected-car features available through the mySkoda Connect app too. Most features you would need in a car to keep you and your family engaged are present, so any trip is set to be a relaxed one. There are slick capacitive touch controls for climate control and wireless charging for your phone. And moving the luxury quotient up significantly are ventilated seats and auto headlamps and wipers, making long-distance or hectic city commutes a breeze. The signature Skoda 'Simple Clever' innovations, which genuinely make life on the road easier, are present in the Skoda Kushaq as well with the windscreen mounted ticket holder and the phone pockets in the seats.
As expected, the Skoda Kushaq is set to be one of the safest SUVs to be made in India thanks to the solid build that the MQB-A0-IN platform allows. Complimenting this is the segment-leading safety features, the Kushaq is the first mainstream car to offer ESC as standard. Along with this, there are six airbags, hill-hold control, traction control and TPMS, among other things.
The Skoda Kushaq is set to be the SUV for the driving enthusiast, building on the legacy of cars like the Octavia and the Superb. The sharp chassis and suspension set-up is paired with the exciting range of TSI engines. The highlight is the 1.5-litre unit with its segment-leading output of 150PS and a sporty 7-speed DSG gearbox. This is the only engine in this segment to offer active cylinder management that shuts down up to 2 cylinders when possible to maximize fuel efficiency. There is also the proven 1.0-litre TSI for those who want a great mix of engagement and frugality. The smooth-shifting six-speed automatic is available with this as well as a crisp six-speed manual. Either engine you choose, one of the most regarding drives at this price point is a given.
The Kushaq will allow owners to fully experience the thrill of owning a TSI-engined car with these two choices. Skoda has been a pioneer in this technology and with this new generation of engines, the Kushaq can offer a mix of performance, driveability and efficiency unmatched by the competition.
But for all the luxury, performance and value that the Skoda Kushaq is set to offer, it will also boast of the most seamless and stress-free ownership experience of any Skoda before. The heavily localized architecture is set to drop service and parts costs significantly, to begin with. Skoda India will be present in 150 cities in India by 2023 with over 200 touchpoints, up from the current 140 and the targeted 165 by June 2021. Skoda India is upgrading it showrooms to use 4K video walls to showcase Skoda models with dynamism. A Touch Table, a futuristic digital device that allows customers to see, compare and discuss car configurations simply by using finger swipes will simplify the process further. Skoda India has completely revamped its service centres with a more futuristic look and feel while service advisors are now much better trained at offering customer-centric solutions and a much more seamless ownership experience.
The Skoda Kushaq is set to be one of the more exciting launches of 2021, and for all its strong attributes, pricing will be competitive to rivals.
Stay tuned to know more about the Skoda Kushaq slated to launch in India by June 2021.