ŠKODA AUTO India announced the start of production of the KUSHAQ at the SKODA AUTO Volkswagen India Pvt Ltd (SAVWIPL) plant in Chakan, Pune. With customer deliveries planned to begin in July, this new SUV offers a compelling combination with its striking design, ample space, exceptional comfort, outstanding safety features and modern infotainment systems. ŠKODA KUSHAQ comes with powerful yet efficient TSI engine options, which have been manufactured locally.
The ŠKODA KUSHAQ is based on the MQB-A0-IN, a variant of the modular MQB -A0 platform, specially adapted by ŠKODA for the Indian and global markets. The vast know-how of highly qualified local engineers was leveraged to enable high localization. There is strong involvement of the existing supplier base and local manufacturing in the development. The objective was to match traditional ŠKODA qualities with the requirements of Indian customers.
The name of the mid-size SUV is derived from Sanskrit, an Indian language that is thousands of years old. In the ‘language of the gods’ still used today, the word ‘Kushak’ means a king or an emperor. This complements the powerful appearance of the new ŠKODA KUSHAQ to perfection. Available with a choice of powerful yet efficient TSI engine options and boasting of a striking design, modern infotainment systems, high levels of comfort and safety features, and myŠKODA Connect & ŠKODA Play App, this all-new SUV is ideally equipped for a successful start to the brand’s new model campaign in India.
The locally developed MQB-A0-IN platform provides the technical basis for the new ŠKODA KUSHAQ as well as for other volume models yet to come. The platform has been designed to meet the new, stricter safety and emission requirements for India. To achieve the desired localisation levels up to 95 per cent, ŠKODA has set up a new MQB- A0-IN production line at its Pune plant. A significant part of the development has been carried out at the new technology centre, which opened in Pune in January 2019. With the local staff’s wealth of expertise and flair for Indian preferences, ŠKODA can respond to changing customer needs in a more targeted, flexible and dynamic manner.
