Skoda Auto had made its ambitions to grow the brand in India clear with the announcement of a compact SUV in February this year. With the Kylaq, Skoda Auto India will offer a range of SUVs including the luxury offering Kodiaq and the first launch from Skoda Auto’s India 2.0 project, the mid-sized SUV, Kushaq.
The Kylaq is set to add a new dimension to the compact SUV segment with its modern, bold and muscular styling, proven Skoda driving dynamics, uncompromising safety and a good mix of features making it a compelling value offering. The launch of the Kylaq will see Skoda Auto entering a ‘New Era’ in India, which is the most important market for the brand outside Europe.
Piyush Arora, Managing Director and CEO, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India says, “I’m proud to present Kylaq - the first compact SUV from Skoda India. Kylaq is designed and made with high levels of localisation, thereby strengthening our ‘Make In India’ commitment. It represents the Group’s DNA of driving dynamic, safety and comfort, along with the practical features desired by our value conscious customers. I’m sure the product will resonate with Indian customers mindset. Kylaq, designed and engineered in India, for India will be a gamechanger.”
The Kylaq has been designed keeping in mind the evolving aspirations of Indian customers. Bold and muscular shapes around the fenders provide an enhanced stance and road presence to the car. The design will retain the typical Skoda SUV language in the front and add details like refined and precise DRL light signatures. The upcoming SUV will also feature a hexagon pattern on the side and rear of the car lending more value to the design. The Kylaq is powered by the proven and efficient 1.0 TSI engine, mated to the choice of a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The engine produces 85Kw of power and 178Nm of torque. The car is based on the same MQB-A0-IN platform as the Kushaq and Slavia. The Kylaq comes standard with over 25 active and passive safety features.Kylaq offers first-in-class six-way adjustable driver and passenger seats with ventilation function. The Kylaq will lead Skoda Auto’s presence in the fastest-growing and most competitive segment in India.
The Kylaq has been tested over 800,000 kms of Indian terrain including urban, highway, uphill and rough roads. That is more than the distance from Earth to the moon and back. And more than 20 trips around the circumference of Earth. This all-new compact SUV has been put through temperatures varying from -10 to +85 degree Celsius and across elevation ranging from sea level to 3,000 metres above sea level. 100 random samples of the Kylaq have been exposed to 25-30 litre per minute/sq mt. of water at an angle of upto 16 degrees. This ensures the Kylaq has zero water ingress in extreme monsoons. The Kylaq has also been put through a vehicle shaker test to ensure the interiors remain silent and rattle-free under all road surfaces. The car has also spent two years in open weather to test all the polymeric parts to ascertain there is no discolouration, distortion or loss of function under extreme sun or other external elements. The 189 mm of ground clearance in the Kylaq ensured it tackled all obstacles it was put through for the test.