3 New Affordable Skodas Launching Soon
Skoda is planning an aggressive product push in India. The planned lineup includes both volume-focussed products and premium CBU imports. Let’s now take a look at three affordable Skodas that are expected to launch in the near future. These will play key roles in increasing the company’s market share here.
Skoda will launch the Kushaq facelift in India this month. The new SUV differs significantly from the model it replaces. The company has started its production at its Chakan plant, ahead of market-launch. Pre-bookings are already open and deliveries are expected to commence soon after price announcement.
The new Kushaq is set to enter a highly competitive segment. The update has given it notable design improvements, more features and a new 8-speed torque converter automatic transmission.
The new Kushaq’s design is based on the carmaker’s “Modern Solid” design philosophy. The front fascia has been redesigned. It gets improved LED headlamps connected by a sleek LED light bar, new grille and a reshaped front bumper.
The side profile remains largely unchanged. The SUV, however, gets a new set of alloy wheels. Connected taillights with sequential turn indicators and an illuminated Skoda logo sits at the rear. The colour palette has also been revised. Three-new colours- Cherry Red, Shimla Green and Steel Grey- have been introduced.
Inside, the overall design, layout and material quality have improved. Features like a panoramic sunroof and (a segment-first) massage function for rear seats have been added. Other features include powered and ventilated front seats, wireless charging bay, automatic climate control, 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, built-in Google Gemini integration, 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster, ambient lighting, and more.
The facelift continues to be based on the MQB-A0-IN platform- the same that underpins the Volkswagen Taigun. The two SUVs also share their engine options- 1.0L TSI and 1.5L TSI turbo-petrols. The smaller engine makes 113hp and 178Nm, and comes with a six-speed manual and a new 8-speed torque converter automatic transmission options.
The 1.5 TSI engine, on the other hand, can be had with a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission alone. This engine continues to boast Active Cylinder Technology.
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The Slavia is the sedan sibling of the Kushaq- also a product of the India 2.0 program. It will also get a facelift this year, likely in the fourth quarter. This, if you see, is timely, as the entire C-segment sedan space is set to get updates this year. The Verna, City, and Virtus will all be facelifted soon.
The upcoming update will give the Slavia design improvements, more features and the new 8AT transmission- much like what we have seen in the Kushaq. Spy shots suggest that major sheet metal changes are unlikely. The lighting signature will, however, evolve significantly. Inside, the new sedan will use more upmarket materials and will also see the addition of features. Details of these additions are expected to be out closer to the launch.
The facelifted Slavia will continue to be based on the MQB-A0-IN platform, and be powered by the 1.0L TSI and 1.5L TSI turbo-petrol engines. The power and torque figures are expected to remain unchanged. The six-speed torque converter transmission offered with the smaller engine will be replaced with a new 8-speed unit- just like the SUV.
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The Kylaq has been a huge success. It is now Skoda’s biggest volume contributor. In the past six months, its sales have been averaging 3888 units a month. Skoda is now planning to double down on this success and launch more variants and updates on the Kylaq.
The most important among these is the new range-topping Sportline+ variant, confirmed to launch in the third quarter of this year. This will be the sportiest version of the sub-compact SUV and will have clear visual differentiation from the rest of the lineup. It will get even more features, the details of which are not available yet.
This variant will likely be offered with both manual and automatic transmission options and will be powered by the 1.0L turbocharged petrol engine that makes 113hp and 178Nm.
Additionally, Skoda is reportedly working on a CNG version of the Kylaq which when launched, will be positioned toward the more affordable end of the lineup. We don’t know if Skoda will give the Kylaq a factory-fitted CNG kit or a dealer-level retrofitment. According to reports, the CNG variant will have an efficiency of 23–25 km/kg. Time remains before more details surface.
And finally, the AISIN-sourced 8-speed automatic transmission (AQ300) will be making its way to the Kylaq soon. It will be offered with the 1.0L engine, replacing the current model’s 6-speed automatic. This transmission is said to be cheaper to maintain than the 6-speed automatic.