Skoda is finally gearing up to make its mark in the highly competitive compact SUV segment with the all-new Kylaq in India.
A nation-wide naming campaign got the Kylaq its name, which will premiere globally on November 6, 2024. With the Kylaq, Škoda Auto India will offer a range of SUVs, including the luxury offering Kodiaq and the first launch from Škoda Auto’s India 2.0 project, the mid-sized SUV, Kushaq.
The Kylaq will see Škoda Auto present in the sub-4m segment, which holds almost 30% of the total Indian car market and is one of the fastest-growing segments in India. The Kylaq is set to add a new dimension to the compact SUV segment with its modern, bold, and muscular styling, proven Škoda driving dynamics, uncompromising safety, and a good mix of features, making it a compelling value offering. The launch of the Kylaq will see Škoda Auto entering a ‘New Era’ in India, which is the most important market for the brand outside Europe.
Piyush Arora, Managing Director and CEO, Škoda Auto Volkswagen India, says,I’m proud to present Kylaq—the first compact SUV from Škoda India. Kylaq is designed and made with high levels of localization, 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 mindsets. Kylaq, designed and engineered in India, for India will be a gamechanger.”
MQB-A0-IN Platform
The MQB-A0-IN platform — debuting with the Škoda Kushaq in 2021 and further strengthened with the Slavia in 2022 — formed the crux of Škoda Auto India’s strategy. It was developed jointly by teams in India and the Czech Republic with a focus on high localization, low cost of ownership, and quick turnaround times. It is the first platform developed by the company outside of Europe and tailormade for the Indian market.
Skoda Kylaq: Power and performance
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 85 kW of power and 178 Nm of torque.
Skoda Kylaq: Safety
The car is based on the same MQB-A0-IN platform as the Kushaq and Slavia. These two cars have already scored a full 5-star rating in Global NCAP tests for adults and children.
The Kylaq comes standard with over 25 active and passive safety features, including six airbags, traction and stability control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake distribution, brake disc wiping, rollover protection, motor slip regulation, electronic differential lock, passenger airbag deactivation, multi-collision braking, and ISOFIX seats, among many others.
Rigorous testing by Skoda
The Skoda Kylaq has been tested over 800,000 km 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 degrees Celsius and across elevations ranging from sea level to 3,000 meters above sea level. To ensure thorough monsoon preparedness and perfect sealing from the elements, 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 discoloration, distortion, or loss of function under extreme sun or other external elements.
Skoda Kylaq: Rivals
The Skoda Kylaq will go against the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Kia Sonet, Tata Nexon Hyundai Venue, and Mahindra XUV 3XO.
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