5 New Volkswagen And Skoda SUVs To Watch Out For: Kylaq Sportline To Tiguan Non R-Line
Skoda and Volkswagen, over the last couple of years, have been doing well in terms of sales. Thanks to their India-focused strategies and their fresh lineup of cars that were made in India for global markets, both brands have managed to stay competitive. They now plan to maintain this momentum by refreshing their existing products and introducing new ones. Here is a list of five such SUVs from Volkswagen and Skoda that are expected to be launched soon.
Volkswagen launched the Tayron R-Line in India earlier this year. This seven-seater SUV is currently the flagship model from Volkswagen and was launched at Rs 47 lakh (ex-showroom). After the launch, there were reports that Volkswagen is also working on introducing a lower-spec, non R-Line variant of the Tayron.
The current version is performance-oriented and comes with sporty elements on the bumper, grille, and more. The lower-spec Tayron is expected to come with fewer features, more chrome or brushed aluminium inserts, and a different alloy wheel design. It will be powered by the same 2.0-litre TSI engine as the R-Line but will likely produce lower power and torque figures.
The next SUV on the list is Volkswagen’s upcoming sub-4-metre SUV. After seeing the success of the Skoda Kylaq in the segment, Volkswagen is also planning to enter this space. The brand has already confirmed this, and the SUV is expected to launch in the coming years.
The sub-4-metre SUV will be based on the same platform as the Kylaq but will feature a different exterior design. It might take design inspiration from the globally sold Volkswagen Tera. It will likely be powered by the same 1.0-litre TSI, 3-cylinder petrol engine paired with a 6-speed manual and an 8-speed automatic transmission, producing 115 PS and 178 Nm of torque.
The Skoda Kylaq is the best-selling SUV for the brand in India and has turned out to be a game-changer. Skoda sold over 50,000 units in just over a year.
Skoda is now planning to launch a Sportline version of the Kylaq. It will be a sportier-looking variant with blacked-out elements. It will continue with the same 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder turbo-petrol engine producing 115 PS and 178 Nm of torque. Skoda may also introduce a new 8-speed automatic transmission, replacing the current 6-speed unit, while retaining the 6-speed manual.
Skoda is also planning to introduce the performance-oriented Kodiaq RS later this year. Compared to the standard Kodiaq, the RS variant will feature sportier styling elements like an RS-specific bumper, gloss-black accents instead of chrome, and more aggressive detailing.
Inside, the SUV will get an all-black sporty cabin with red accents, RS badging, and RS-specific sports seats, along with premium features like a panoramic sunroof. It will be powered by a 2.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine producing around 263 PS and 370 Nm of torque. Like the diesel version, this too will be a CBU and is likely to be available in limited numbers, similar to the Skoda Octavia RS.
Skoda, like many other brands, had discontinued diesel engines in India due to stricter emission norms. However, the company has plans to reintroduce diesel engines, and the Kodiaq diesel is expected to be one of the first models.
The SUV will be brought in as a CBU, making it a premium offering. It is expected to feature a 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine producing around 190 hp and 360 Nm of torque, paired with a 4x4 system.
The Kodiaq will come equipped with features like a 13-inch infotainment screen, a 10.25-inch digital driver display (Virtual Cockpit), Alcantara interiors, a 360-degree camera, Level 2 ADAS, ventilated seats with a massage function, and multi-zone climate control.