Skoda India has been working relentlessly towards putting their much-awaited mid-size SUV on our roads as soon as possible. Once launched, the Kushaq is Skoda’s contender to challenge the dominance of Hyundai Creta in the Indian automobile market. Build on the India-specific MQB A0 IN platform, the Kushaq is the SUV, Skoda is pinning all its hopes on reviving and expanding its depleting market share in India. Having already revealed the product earlier in March 2021, the Kushaq promises to be a modern-looking SUV representing the design language of the Czech carmaker. The interiors, features and quality of materials used will also contribute to wooing potential customers. The prices will be announced at the launch which could we be competitive because of the high level of localization in a bid to sell a ton of this SUV.
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Skoda Kushaq – Exterior Highlights
The Kushaq is the typical Skoda SUV in every sense when you look at it from the outside. It features a very bold and muscular exterior with a typical butterfly front grille, split crystalline LED headlamps with LED DRLs, a chunky bumper with skid plates and an upright stance. The sharp creases all around make it unmistakably Skoda and the sides are accentuated by 17-inch dual-tone alloys, practical roof rails and sporty. At the rear, the LED tail lamps around the corners make the car look wider, the skid plates under the rear bumper, the chrome strip running across the width of the SUV makes the rear modern and sophisticated. The Kushaq will also have one of the longest wheelbase in the segment which will translate into a spacious cabin.
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Skoda Kushaq – Interiors, Features and Safety
Skoda is also known for its high-quality materials and clever features. This includes a free-standing 10-inch Digital Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Connected Car Tech with a ton of features, pre-installed Apps, Wireless charging, Automatic Climate Control with touch inputs, two-spoke multi-purpose Steering Wheel, White Ambient Lighting, LED Reading Lights, chrome-plated Door handles, chrome bits at various places inside the cabin, 6-speakers Skoda Audio System with extra subwoofer in the Spare Wheel well and much more. The special Skoda simply clever bits include a non-slip base in a cup holder, a ticket holder on A-Pillar, bag hooks in the boot, a phone box in the front for the smartphone and smartphone storage pockets on the front seatbacks.
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On the safety front, the Kushaq comes equipped with 6 Airbags, ABS with EBD and ESC, Hill-Hold Control, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, ISOFIX child seat mounts, Multi-Collision Brake, Three-point Seatbelt, Front and rear parking sensors with Camera and much more.
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Skoda Kushaq – Engines, Transmissions, Expected Prices and Rivals
The Skoda Kushaq will share the VWโs legendary TSI Turbo Petrol engines. This includes the 1.0-litre TSI turbo petrol engine, making 115 PS and 175 Nm and its bigger sibling, the 1.5-litre TSI turbo petrol unit making 150 PS and 250 Nm. Complementing the 1.0-litre engine will be a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission. The larger 1.5-litre unit will come mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG (DCT) gearbox. The expected prices of the Skoda Kushaq might be in the range of Rs 10 lakh to Rs 17 lakh, ex-showroom. The direct rivals include Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, MG Hector and Tata Harrier.
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