Skoda announces all-new sub-4 metre SUV
Skoda will be foraying into the crowded sub-4 metre SUV space in India with a brand new product which is set to arrive in the first half of 2025. Abhinav Jakhar has all the details
There is yet another SUV on its way to the Indian market, and this time around it's Skoda that will bring the goods. The Czech automaker recently announced the imminent arrival of a brand new compact SUV, which will be the company's third made-for-India product. Just like the Kushaq and Slavia, which arrived in July 2021 and March 2022, respectively; this all-new sub-4m product will be based on the MQB-A0-IN platform. Top management from Skoda stated that the upcoming SUV will be slightly more localised than before, which should prove to be an impressive feat since localisation already stands at 95 percent.
Skoda Auto India has set a target of 100,000 annual sales by 2026, which the brand hopes will be greatly aided by the arrival of its newest SUV. In fact, the brand had its biggest sales year in 2022, and then with the figures combined from 2023, surpassed the 100,000 sales milestone. Prior to this, It took Skoda six years to achieve this particular sales figure. This can be attributed to the introduction of the India-centric MQB-A0-IN platform, which has lead to a significant surge in sales for the both Skoda and Volkswagen. Furthermore, the yet to be named SUV is expected to be exported to ASEAN and Middle East regions, like earlier Skoda vehicles produced in India.
Another interesting way Skoda is going about introducing their upcoming SUV is with the commencement of a naming contest. Just like the Kushaq's name is inspired by the Sanskrit word for emperor and the Slavia takes its name from the first ever product of the company from its origins in 1895; the all-new SUV's moniker will be decided by voting under the #NameYourSkoda campaign. So far, the Czech brand has put forth 5 names - Kylaq, Kariq, Kymaq, Kyroq and Kwiq. As a part of this contest, online users can put forward more names as long as the suggestions start with ‘K' and end with a ‘q'. Although not officially announced, Skoda's latest is expected to come with the same 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder TSI engine seen in Kushaq and Slavia, while gearbox options could be the same as well with a 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic.
Thanks to the GST benefits awarded to sub-4 metre vehicles in India, Skoda will launch its new product with more accessible pricing than any of its products currently on sale. Since it will sit below the Kushaq and Slavia, the upcoming SUV will be Skoda's entry-level product in the Indian market. Given the price point at which this product will arrive, the brand will be focussing on tier-II and tier-III regions around the country. Crucially, Skoda will be bringing its all-new SUV in the first half of 2025. Upon its arrival, it will go up against the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Tata Nexon, Kia Sonet, Hyundai Venue, Renault Kiger and Nissan Magnite.
JUST LIKE THE KUSHAQ AND SLAVIA, WHICH ARRIVED IN JULY 2021 AND MARCH 2022, RESPECTIVELY; THE ALL-NEW SUB-4M PRODUCT WILL BE BASED ON THE MQB-A0-IN PLATFORM