The ŠKODA KUSHAQ 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 ŠKODA KUSHAQ 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 ŠKODA KUSHAQ 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
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 ŠKODA KUSHAQ 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.
Interior: elegant, modern and Simply Clever
› The interior offers ample space and plenty of storage options
› 385-litre boot and a wealth of Simply Clever features as are typical of ŠKODA › Climatronic and ventilated front seats upholstered in perforated leather
The brand-new ŠKODA KUSHAQ offers generous space and plenty of storage options in the brand-typical interior. A free-standing infotainment display measuring up to 10 inches is the central element. The SKODA Play Apps has been preinstalled. Chrome applications and the optional coloured instrument panel provide visual highlights. From the Ambition trim level upwards, features include touch-controlled Climatronic with Air Care Function. The top-of-the-range Style trim line also has ventilated front seats upholstered in perforated leather. All KUSHAQ variants offer a generous boot with a capacity of 385 l and a plethora of Simply Clever solutions.
The ŠKODA KUSHAQ is available in three trim levels: Active, Ambition and Style. Even the entrylevel variant, Active, features particularly powerful air conditioning, and from Ambition upwards, the SUV boasts Climatronic with a touch control panel as standard. Style – the range-topping trim level – offers even more advanced comfort features. The standard equipment at this level includes ventilated front seats upholstered in perforated leather, and leatherette armrests on the doors as well as on the Jumbo Box, which is located in the centre console. An electric, sliding glass roof, KESSY keyless entry and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror also come as standard.
Fresh colours and chrome details
The interior is characterised by fresh colours, ambient lighting and chrome-plated details. In the Style trim level, the standard black metallic instrument panel is also available in a vibrant orange, while the Ambition line features an instrument panel with a silver finish. The orange colour provides the interior with several visual highlights, for example on the fabric seats in the Ambition trim, or the contrasting stitching on the leather seats and armrests in the Style specification. LED reading lights can be found in the front and rear. From Ambition upwards, the ambient lighting illuminates the dashboard and door handles, while the door handles, handbrake locking button and air vents are chrome-plated and the gearstick knob is upholstered in leather. The Style specification’s extended chrome package also includes decorative trim on the instrument panel as well as on the gearstick surround.
Up to 26.2 l of interior storage space
The KUSHAQ features a central, free-standing infotainment touchscreen and the two-spoke multifunction steering wheel that can also be found in other ŠKODA models. In vehicles fitted with the optional 7-speed DSG, the steering wheel sports shift paddles. The design detailing below the infotainment touchscreen mirrors the silhouette of the ŠKODA grille. The utility recess on the dashboard has been designed to meet the needs of Indian customers. This is where the driver can keep a firmly attached lucky charm in clear view. Overall, the interior offers a storage capacity of up to 26.2 l.
An easy-access 385-litre boot
The KUSHAQ’s boot has a capacity of 385 l. This can be increased to 1,405 l by folding down the rear seats, which fold in a ratio of 60:40 from Ambition upwards. Bag hooks and nets, fixings for securing a first-aid kit, and illumination make the boot even more practical. Top tether anchor points on the rear seats allow two child seats to be safely secured.
Simply Clever features in ŠKODA’s distinctive style
The KUSHAQ also features numerous Simply Clever solutions that make everyday driving that little bit easier for ŠKODA customers. Clever technology includes Wireless SmartLink for integrating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the Phone Box for inductively charging a smartphone. Also on offer are smartphone storage pockets on the front seatbacks, a flexible fastening strap in the storage compartment of each door and an area for sunglasses. Red reflectors warn traffic coming from behind in the dark when any of the four doors are open. Simply Clever classics include the bag hooks in the boot, the ticket holder on the A-pillar and the smart-grip cup holder in the centre console. This allows the driver to easily and conveniently open a bottle placed there with just one hand.
Powertrains: two powerful and efficient TSI engines
› Output from 85 kW (115 PS) to 110 kW (150 PS)
› Optional 6-speed automatic transmission and 7-speed DSG
› Plasma-coated 1.5 TSI petrol engine with active cylinder technology (ACT)
There is a choice of two efficient and powerful petrol engines for the new ŠKODA KUSHAQ. The advanced TSI engines deliver an output from 85 kW (115 PS) to 110 kW (150 PS). They meet India’s stringent BS6 emission standards and both engines deliver their power to the road via a 6-speed manual gearbox. A 6-speed automatic transmission and 7-speed DSG are optional.
The new KUSHAQ offers two advanced and efficient TSI engines. Thanks to their particularly low fuel consumption, the direct-injection petrol engines offer great mileage. The entry-level engine is the three-cylinder 1.0 TSI. Its injection pressure is up to 350 bar, and produces an output of 85 kW (115 PS) from its displacement of one litre. Power is transmitted to the front wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard, or optionally via a new-generation 6-speed automatic transmission. The KUSHAQ is the first car offered by Volkswagen Group in India featuring a new torque convertor.
Latest-generation EVO 1.5 TSI with active cylinder technology making its debut in the segment
The 1.5 TSI petrol engine is from Volkswagen Group’s latest EVO generation. It is the first engine in this segment to feature active cylinder technology (ACT), which automatically – and almost without the driver noticing – shuts down two cylinders when engine load is low. The cylinder blocks of the four-cylinder engine are plasma-coated. The innovative, thin, powder-coated layer applied to the cylinder liners measures just 150 μm (0.15 mm). It reduces internal friction, which lowers fuel consumption. It also reduces thermal load on the engine, thanks to better distribution and dissipation of heat in the combustion chamber. The four-cylinder engine develops 110 kW (150 PS) from its displacement of 1.5 l, which is transmitted to the front wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard, same as in the 1.0 TSI. The top-level engine can be coupled with a 7-speed DSG, with gear ratios that offer a perfect blend of sportiness and comfort.
Engines available for the new ŠKODA KUSHAQ at a glance:
| Engine | 1.0 TSI | 1.5 TSI EVO |
| Cylinders | 3 | 4 |
| Power (KW) | 85 | 110 |
| Power(PS) | 115 | 150 |
| Torque(NM) | 178 | 250 |
| Transmission (Standard) | 6-MT | 6-MT |
| Transmission (Optional) | 6-AT | 7-DSG |
| Max Speed (KM/H) / (Standard) | 186 | 190 |
| Max Speed (KM/H) / (Optional) | 181 | 190 |
| Acceleration (0-100KM/H) / (Standard) | 10.6 s | 8.6 |
| Acceleration (0-100KM/H) / (Optional) | 11.7 | 8.6 |
Safety: advanced assistance systems and up to six airbags
› A first for India: ESC as standard with all trim levels
› Extensive range of assistance systems and safety features for outstanding active and passive safety, including a Multi-Collision Brake, tyre pressure monitoring system and optional Hill-Hold Control
› ISOFIX anchors and top tether anchor points to safely secure child seats
› Automatic rain-sensing wipers along with sensors and rear-view camera to park with ease
The ŠKODA KUSHAQ boasts excellent active and passive safety features. The ESC system comes as standard for all variants – this is a first in this vehicle segment on the Indian market. Occupants are protected by up to six airbags, while ISOFIX anchors and top tether anchor points ensure the greatest possible safety for children. Parking sensors and, in higher trim levels, a rear-view camera provide convenient assistance when parking; a tyre pressure monitoring system and Hill-Hold Control are optional extras.
The use of the MQB-A0-IN – the variant of Volkswagen Group’s modular MQB specially adapted by ŠKODA AUTO for the Indian market – means the new KUSHAQ is equipped with a high level of passive safety and numerous assistance systems. Safe handling is ensured at all times by the ESC system, which comes as standard in all variants – a first in this vehicle segment in India. The ESC also enables the use of the optional Hill-Hold Control feature, which comes as standard in the Style trim level. The Multi-Collision Brake prevents potential follow-on collisions in the event of an accident, by automatically bringing the KUSHAQ to a standstill.
Convenient assistance when driving and parking
The new ŠKODA KUSHAQ comes with numerous assistance systems, some of which are optional, that make driving and parking more comfortable for the driver. These include cruise control, and light and rain sensors which automatically switch on the low beam or windscreen wipers when required. All variants are equipped with rear sensors to make parking easier, and from Ambition upwards, there is also a rear-view camera which shows the distance to potential obstacles and guiding lines for orientation. A tyre pressure monitor is an extra for the range-topping trim line, Style.
Comprehensive passive safety features
The KUSHAQ is equipped with an extensive range of passive safety features which provide excellent levels of protection for the driver and passengers in the event of an accident. All five seats feature three-point seat belts and height-adjustable headrests. ISOFIX anchors and top tether anchor points on the rear seats come as standard to safely secure child seats. In the event of an impact, the occupants are protected by up to six airbags.
Connectivity: two infotainment systems and an impressive list of ŠKODA Connect mobile online services
› Infotainment systems with 7- or 10-inch colour touchscreens
› Optional navigation function can be downloaded from the SKODA Play Apps
› Numerous comfort and safety features available from the MyŠKODA Connect app
› Style trim level includes ŠKODA Sound system with subwoofer
The new ŠKODA KUSHAQ has a choice of two advanced infotainment systems with a 7- or 10-inch touchscreen. Wireless SmartLink technology enables smartphone integration. From Ambition upwards, users can access a comprehensive range of MyŠKODA Connect mobile online services and download a navigation function for the premium infotainment system from the SKODA Play Apps.
The KUSHAQ offers excellent connectivity from the Ambition trim level upwards. This provides the driver with remote vehicle access and a plethora of myŠKODA Connect mobile online services via the MyŠKODA Connect app. These include vehicle information, driving data (including statistics on completed journeys with actual costs), route tracking and the estimated time of arrival, provided the offline navigation function has been downloaded from the SKODA Play Apps.
The MyŠKODA Connect app can display the vehicle’s location in real time or a walking route to where it is parked. A smartphone can be used to find a petrol station or call up the Vehicle Health Report, which automatically stores important data every time the ignition is switched off. It can notify the owner with customised information such as when the KUSHAQ is speeding or travelling outside a specified area and may have been stolen. If necessary, in the event of an accident, the app will contact a helpline, and send a text message with the vehicle’s location to an emergency contact.
Touchscreens measuring 7 and 10 inches
In the Active trim level, the KUSHAQ features an infotainment system with a 7-inch colour touchscreen and Bluetooth functionality for hands-free phone calls. Electronic devices can be charged and data transferred via a USB-C port. The top-level infotainment system in Ambition and Style has a 10-inch colour touchscreen with smartphone-style functionality. The system supports the Bluetooth standard 4.0 and comes with a Wi-Fi hotspot. Smartphones can be paired and the app store accessed without the need for a cable using Wireless SmartLink technology. Downloads from the SKODA Play Apps allow for the range of features to be expanded, for example, by a navigation function. The GPS receiver required is pre-installed. There are two USB-C ports in the centre console for connecting and charging mobile devices via cable. The Style variant offers a Phone Box which allows smartphones to be charged inductively and a 340-watt ŠKODA sound system with six speakers and a subwoofer in the spare-wheel well.
