Skoda unveiled the Kushaq mid-size SUV in the Indian market and it is scheduled to go on sale in June 2021 whereas the deliveries are expected to start from July 2022. Here, is a render done by SRK Designs. The artist imagines the new mid-size SUV in its Monte Carlo variant which is usually the top-end variant in Skoda’s line-up. The video has been uploaded on the YouTube channel of SRK Designs.

In the video, we can see that the artist has made some cosmetic changes to the Kushaq. The artist has made the SUV go through a chrome delete. So, all the chrome elements have been now finished in black. The silver elements are also now finished in black. This makes the SUV look more stealthy and attractive.

The first thing you would notice is the new bright red paint scheme in which the Kushaq is now painted in. Then there is the front grille and its surround, roof rails, side badging are now finished in black. The outside rearview mirrors and the roof is now finished in contrasting black. The SUV’s door handles are finished in body colour instead of chrome. The front faux skid plate is also finished in black instead of silver. Then there are the different larger diamond-cut alloy wheels.

The Kushaq is the first vehicle under Skoda’s INDIA 2.0 strategy. The manufacturer is using the MQB-A0-IN platform which is a derivative of the MQB-A0 platform which underpins a lot of vehicles in the international markets. The new platform is specifically made to reduce the cost of the vehicles so that they could be placed more competitively in the market. Skoda is also aiming at 95 percent of localization level with the Kushaq which should reduce the cost of spares and cost of producing the vehicle.

Skoda is offering the Kushaq two petrol engine options. There will be no diesel engine on offer with the Kushaq. There is a 1.0, three-cylinder TSI petrol engine that is shared with the Skoda Rapid, Volkswagen Vento and the Polo GT. However, it is in a higher state of tune so it produces 115 PS of max power and a peak torque output of 200 Nm.

There will also be a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder TSI petrol engine that we have seen on the Volkswagen T-Roc, Skoda Karoq and the upcoming Volkswagen Taigun. The engine is capable of producing 150 PS of max power and a peak torque output of 250 Nm. It will be offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed DSG Dual-Clutch automatic gearbox.

The Kushaq measures 4,225 mm in length, 1,760 mm in width, and has a height of 1,612 mm. The wheelbase of the mid-size SUV measures 2,651 mm which is one of the best in the segment. So, there should be plenty of legroom for the occupants. At 188 mm, the ground clearance of the Kushaq should be plenty to tackle Indian roads.

Skoda Kushaq will start from somewhere around Rs. 10 lakhs ex-showroom. It will be competing against the Kia Seltos, Nissan Kicks, Tata Harrier, MG Hector, Renault Duster and Hyundai Creta.