So far, we have known that Skoda’s Hyundai Creta rival is arriving in the second half of 2020. In a new development, the Czech automaker has confirmed that this model will debut in concept form at the Auto Expo 2020.
The Skoda premium B-SUV will have a design inspired by the Skoda Vision X concept that debuted at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. However, while the Europeans like their B-SUVs soft, Indian customers prefer them with a tough, proper SUV-like design, masculine proportions and high ground clearance. So, the SUV for India, while having some resemblance of the production Vision X, will look quite different. In effect, the former may have a bigger body, like in the Indian-spec Nissan Kicks’ case.
The Skoda premium B-SUV for India will ride on a locally adapted MQB A0 platform called MQB A0 IN, which will spawn a sibling from Volkswagen and several more locally manufactured models including a pair of Honda City rivals. It will employ a locally manufactured 1.0-litre TSI turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine. A diesel engine is not planned. The transmission choices may include 6-speed manual and 7-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic. Both should channel power to only the front wheels, as the availability of an all-wheel drive system is highly unlikely in this SUV.
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Skoda’s Hyundai Creta rival will arrive as the first model under the Volkswagen Group’s India 2.0 project. The first major step in implementing this project was the opening of a new R&D centre in Chakan last week. The company aims to have a 95% content localisation in MQB A0 IN platform-based models.
