Skoda to launch three new cars next month

Skoda to launch three new cars next month

Skoda Auto India was supposed to kick off its product offensive here in April but Coronavirus pandemic and nationwide lock down has caused a slight delay in those plans. However, the Czech carmaker is still pursuing the Indian automobile market with a new found aggression and plans to launch three new vehicles soon after the lock down is lifted. These new Skoda cars going on sale next month include BS 6 Rapid and Karoq SUV, both of which have been available for bookings since last month for a token amount of ₹50,000. The third vehicle joining these two will be Superb facelift. All these vehicles were a part of the company's Auto Expo line-up and the company has revealed almost all the details about these cars.

Skoda had planned to start delivering Rapid and Karoq by 6 May, something which we believe will remain unchanged.

Skoda Karoq, an all-new entry to Skoda's India line-up, is a premium compact SUV that will rival the likes of Jeep Compass, Volkswagen T-Roc, and the upcoming Hyundai Tucson. Karoq is essentially Kodiaq's five-seater version and the two SUVs have a lot in common, especially in terms of design. Skoda will bring this SUV to our shores in a single, top-spec trim, which will come loaded with a number of modern gadgetry. This includes a widescreen touchscreen infotainment system with SmartLink connectivity interface, a fully digital instrument panel, dual-zone climate control, powered tailgate, automatic headlights, key-less entry, sunroof, etc.

Skoda Karoq will come powered by a BS 6-compliant 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine that makes 148 bhp and 250 Nm of peak torque. This engine will come paired to a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox in combination with a two-wheel drive system. We can expect it to get a price tag of around ₹20 lakh (ex-showroom).


Skoda Superb facelift, as compared to the outgoing model, gets a handful of cosmetic tweaks like redesigned grille, restyled fog lamps, new headlamps with Matrix LED lighting, and a chrome strip at the boot lid. Given that it is the flagship sedan in the company's portfolio, it comes equipped with a number of features like a fully digital instrument panel, a widescreen infotainment system, multi-zone climate control system, heated seats, massage function for the driver seat, electric sunroof, ambient lighting, etc. Powering the sedan will be a 2.0-litre TSI engine that delivers 187 bhp, 320 Nm, and is coupled to a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox. Skoda Superb facelift is likely to cost somewhere around ₹28 lakh (ex-showroom).

BS 6 Skoda Rapid is not likely to get any design changes or new features as opposed to the BS 4 model. The biggest change on the mid-size sedan is a new 1.0-litre TSI petrol engine. It is the same unit that powers BS 6 Volkswagen Polo and puts out 108 bhp and 175 Nm of peak torque. BS 6 Rapid will be offered with a choice between a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission and is expected to start from ₹8.8 lakh (ex-showroom).