Skoda Kushaq global debut on 18th March

The Kushaq will be Skoda's first 'made-for-India' product with an expected launch in Q2 2021.

Skoda has officially put a clock on the all-new Kushaq SUV's arrival, as the Czech marque has announced that the car will make its global debut, in its final production form, on 18th March. As for the India launch, it's expected to take place sometime in Q2 2021.

Most readers will be aware by now that the Kushaq is a strategically important product for Skoda Auto India Private Limited (SAIPL), as it will mark the beginning of a new era under the VW Group's 'India 2.0' project. Initially, one of the key technological highlights of this project will also be the heavily-localised (up to 95%) and India-specific MQB-A0 IN platform, on which, the Kushaq is built. 

Though the Kushaq is an all-new product, it will borrow its engine options from Skoda's existing models. It will go on sale in India with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder TSI petrol motor, which powers the Rapid, and a bigger 1.5-litre four-cylinder TSI unit, which powers the Karoq. The power & torque figures are also expected to remain unchanged.

The difference, however, is in the transmission options the Kushaq will offer. While a six-speed manual will be standard with both engine options, the smaller 1.0-litre unit will also get a six-speed torque converter unit as an option. The bigger 1.5-litre unit, on the other hand, will get the option of a sportier seven-speed DSG automatic.

Thanks to its 2,651mm wheelbase, the Skoda Kushaq is expected to be more spacious than some of its direct rivals, like the Kia Seltos and Hyundai Creta. 

We've already driven the Kushaq's test prototypes and you can read all about them here. Or, you can read more about the expected features of the Kushaq here.