Skoda to launch Karoq SUV in India in April 2020
Skoda India is working to launch its premium SUV, the Karoq, in India. In the latest update, a senior Skoda India executive has confirmed to Autocar that the company will bring the car to Indian shores in April 2020. The SUV will reportedly arrive in the country via the CBU (completely built unit) route. Here's our roundup.
Skoda Karoq is based on Volkswagen's MQB platform and features an appealing look with a sleek, chrome-finished grille, angular lights, and the company's emblem on the front bumper. The SUV comes with sporty-looking alloy wheels, roof rails, indicator-mounted ORVMs, and chrome highlights surrounding the windows. Apart from that, it gets an all-LED lighting setup for headlamps, DRLs, and taillights.
Inside, the Skoda Karoq gets a five-seater cabin with leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, and a multifunctional steering wheel. The car also houses a fully-digital instrument cluster and a 9.2-inch touchscreen infotainment panel with connectivity features and integrated Wi-Fi. Furthermore, it offers safety features like ABS with EBD, upto nine airbags, and a bunch of driver assist aids for improved road handling.
In international markets, Skoda Karoq is offered in a variety of petrol and diesel engine options. However, the India-specific model is likely to come with a BS6-compliant 1.5-liter TSI turbo-petrol engine which is capable of producing 150bhp of maximum power. This unit will come mated to a 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox to handle transmission duties.
At present, there is no official word on the pricing of Skoda Karoq in India. However, reports suggest that the car is likely to be priced around Rs. 20-25 lakh. Once launched, it will take on rivals such as Jeep Compass and Hyundai Tucson.
