The brand-new KUSHAQ: first ŠKODA made in India for India

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• First production model of the #india 2.0 project manufactured locally in India
• Striking and spacious SUV based on the MQB-A0-IN platform developed by ŠKODA for India
• Name is derived from the word ‘Kushak’, which means king or ruler in the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit 

Mladá Boleslav / Pune, 26 June 2021 – The #skodakushaq marks the beginning of a new era for ŠKODA #auto in #india. The SUV is the first production vehicle of the #india 2.0 project – and the first ŠKODA to be developed and manufactured in and for #india. The name comes from the millennia-old Indian language Sanskrit, in which ‘Kushak’ means king or ruler. The KUSHAQ is the first of ŠKODA and Volkswagen’s model campaign in #india. Overall, ŠKODA and Volkswagen will build four new vehicles based on the MQB-A0-IN – the variant of the modular MQB platform adapted by ŠKODA for #india – and specifically tailored to the needs of Indian customers.

Thomas Schäfer, ŠKODA #auto CEO, said: “India has great potential for growth for ŠKODA and Volkswagen Group, which we now aim to unlock with the product campaign we’re running as part of our INDIA 2.0 project. The KUSHAQ is the first model to be launched. Our new compact SUV is perfectly tailored to the needs of Indian customers. I am confident that the KUSHAQ will be a success. I’d like to sincerely thank Gurpratap Boparai, his entire team and everybody on the ground: they got a great car rolling.” 

Gurpratap Boparai, Managing Director of ŠKODA #auto Volkswagen #india Private Limited, stated: “The KUSHAQ heralds a new era in our Indian operations and puts India’s #design, engineering and manufacturing expertise on the global map. We are incredibly proud of this model – it is a real milestone for ŠKODA and Volkswagen Group. With an emotive #design, excellent workmanship, a comprehensive range of equipment, outstanding active and passive safety, as well as a wealth of Simply Clever features, the #skodakushaq is ideally positioned to take off in a highly dynamic market environment in the growing mid-size SUV segment.” 

Kushak means king or ruler

The name of the brand-new car comes from Sanskrit – the ancient Indian ‘language of the gods’ still used today – in which ‘Kushak’ means king or ruler. It refers to the model’s Indian roots and underlines the KUSHAQ’s confident and powerful look. Furthermore, it also continues the homogenous nomenclature of the ŠKODA SUVs, whose names all begin with a ‘K’ and end in a ‘Q’. 

Exterior: rugged, athletic and with Indian flair 

• The #skodakushaq offers both ample space and a powerful design
• Headlights and tail lights with modern LED technology
• Exclusive colours Honey Orange and Tornado Red, as well as two-tone alloy wheels
• Rugged look: ground clearance of 155 mm 

Mladá Boleslav / Pune, 26 June 2021 – ŠKODA #auto has fully tailored the new KUSHAQ to appeal to the preferences of Indian customers. The SUV looks athletic and powerful with large wheels and plenty of ground clearance reinforcing its distinct appearance. Its compact exterior dimensions are ideally suited to Indian metropolises, yet the #skodakushaq offers plenty of space inside, as is typical of the brand. The SUV’s striking lines and crystalline features make a clear reference to ŠKODA’s current #design language, and the headlights and tail lights incorporate modern LED technology. In addition to the Style variant’s two-tone 17-inch alloy wheels, the range of options includes the metallic Honey Orange and Tornado Red paintwork – which ŠKODA offers exclusively on the Indian market. 

Oliver Stefani, Head of ŠKODA #design, said: “The KUSHAQ is a true ŠKODA SUV at first glance, but at the same time it has an unmistakable Indian character. This is provided by the numerous chrome trims and, in particular, the exclusive metallic Honey Orange colour. Despite its dimensions, the KUSHAQ appears large, athletic and rugged.” 

The KUSHAQ is based on the MQB-A0-IN, a variant of Volkswagen Group’s MQB-A0 platform specially adapted for the Indian market. Its dimensions make it an ideal everyday companion in the country’s metropolises. The SUV is 4,225 mm long, 1,760 mm wide and has a height of 1,612 mm. Its ground clearance of 155 mm and 2,651-mm-long wheelbase – one of the longest in the segment – make it look considerably larger. The long wheelbase also means that the SUV offers ample space for five passengers, as is typical of ŠKODA, and it has a 385-litre boot. 

LED headlights and tail lights

The KUSHAQ features clear-cut headlights with a two-part #design. From the Ambition trim level upwards, this #design consists of an LED module behind a clear lens in the upper part for low beam and high beam, and a narrow, L-shaped LED module for the daytime running lights. The rear light cluster sports ŠKODA-typical crystalline features. The tail and brake lights are fitted with LEDs. 

Striking #design and athletic appearance

ŠKODA has retained a wealth of the striking #design features of the VISION IN concept car in the KUSHAQ without making hardly any changes. Sporting a distinctive front and a wide ŠKODA grille, its ŠKODA SUV family resemblance is clear at first glance. The upper section of the substantial front bumper is body-coloured, the lower part is black. From the Ambition trim level upwards, the underbody protection comes in a silver finish. The wheel arches set off with black plastic trim and black side skirts bring out the SUV’s athletic look. The Style trim line features chrome-plated window frames and door handles, as well as an electric sunroof. The front wings bear ŠKODA badges. The wheels come with a diameter of 16 or 17 inches; the 17-inch Atlas alloys are two-tone. There are five colours to choose from, with metallic Honey Orange and Tornado Red offered exclusively by ŠKODA for the Indian market.

Distinctive SUV style: rugged look and a ground clearance of 155 mm

The size of the brand-new KUSHAQ is comparable to the KAMIQ offered in Europe. Distinct features for this type of vehicle include a high ground clearance (155 mm for the KUSHAQ) and a particularly rugged look. This is provided by the underbody protection at the front and the rear, as well as the black plastic side skirts which protect the bodywork. The wheel arches also feature black plastic trims to enhance the new SUV’s athletic look.

Further information in the press release to download