Skoda will uncover the Kushaq next month, but in the meantime, the teasing game continues with two official sketches that offer an -obviously, exaggerated- glimpse of the brand’s upcoming subcompact crossover aimed strictly at the Indian sub-continent. Unrelated to Europe’s Kamiq, it sports the brand’s latest design language, with the typical Skoda grille flanked by two lighting units on each side. The bumper is more aggressive compared to other SUVs made by the Czech company (at least on these renders as the real-life model won’t be as dramatic) and features two air intakes on each side, and a large opening in the middle, right on top of what seems to be a protective apron.
Plastic cladding defines the lower parts
of the body and the profile is dominated by a strong line that goes from the
front to the rear fenders, separated only by the door handles that are
positioned much higher than on the Kamiq. The slightly sloping roofline is part
of the design, and so are the rather big L-shaped taillights and reflectors
positioned right under them. The ‘Skoda’ lettering sits in the middle of the
tailgate, above the rear license plate holder, and the bumper ends with a
diffuser that incorporates another metallic-looking part at the lower end.
As these are nothing more but sketches,
we’d expect the production version of the Kushaq to look more toned down, and
it won’t feature those big wheels shod in chunky off-road rubber either.
Underpinned by the MQB-A0-IN platform, which is a special version adapted by
Skoda for the Indian market, the Kushaq has a 2,651-mm long
wheelbase, identical to the Kamiq, room for up to five occupants and will
launch with a 1.0- and a 1.5-liter TSI gasoline engines. There won’t be an
all-wheel drive option as all models will be offered solely with front-wheel
drive paired to six-speed manual, six-speed automatic or seven-speed DSG
transmissions, depending on the grade.
