Its Official! The Skoda Karoq Will Reach Indian Shores In April 2020

• Will be a CBU unit initially, with plans to localise manufacturing by 2021.
• Is a smaller version of the Kodiaq and will slot in between the Kamiq and the former.
• Likely to get interior bits like virtual cockpit, a 9.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system and integrated Wi-Fi.
• Will be powered by petrol-only BS6-compliant engines. Could get the 1.5-litre TSI petrol with manual and automatic transmissions.
• Expected to be priced between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 25 lakh.
• Will take on the likes of the Jeep Compass as well as the MG Hector once launched.

Skoda Auto India has finally confirmed its plans to launch the upcoming Karoq by April 2020. It will initially be brought in as a CBU unit, thereby utilising the government’s rule that permits import of up to 2,500 cars every year without homologation. So expect a limited number of cars in its initial lifespan. However, Skoda is looking at local manufacturing of the sedan and making it a CKD offering from 2021. It will slot in between the smaller Kamiq and the bigger Kodiaq in the Czech brand’s SUV lineup.

Based on Volkswagen’s MQB platform, the five-seater SUV essentially looks like a smaller version of the Kodiaq on the outside, with similar styling elements. The Karoq measures at 4382mm length, 1841mm width and 1603mm height. It is expected to be equipped with features such as Skoda’s version of the Virtual Cockpit, with a 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster and a 9.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with SD card reader, voice control and integrated Wi-Fi. It will also get ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof and all-LED headlamps.

Under the hood, the carmaker has revealed a variety of powertrains that will be offered in the Karoq -- essentially limited to petrol motors with BS6 compliance.  While the carmaker is yet to reveal the specific details of the engines, it is likely to be the 1.5-litre TSI petrol available in global markets. This petrol mill makes up to 150PS of power and 250Nm of torque. Both manual and automatic transmissions are expected to be on offer.

The Karoq will be showcased at Auto Expo 2020 ahead of its launch. Since this is a CBU unit, how Skoda prices the Karoq will be crucial since it’ll attract import duty. We expect it to be priced slightly under the Volkswagen Tiguan in the range of Rs 20 lakh to Rs 25 lakh (ex-showroom). Once launched, expect the SUV to take on the likes of the Jeep Compass and the MG Hector.