Skoda Auto India joins an ever-growing list of carmakers who have announced price hikes from January 1 of the new year. Skoda offers the recently launched Kushaq SUV, along with models like the Rapid (Rapid), Octavia (Octavia), Kodiaq and Superb. According to the company’s official information, from January, the prices of Skoda models will increase by up to three percent.
The reason for the price hike is rising input and operating costs. The same reason has also mentioned by other automakers. Jack Hollis, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India said, “Despite the macro-economic challenges, we have worked to ensure that the impact of the price hike is minimal on the customers. We will continue to offer the best in quality and value. , as we want to build Skoda brand in India.
20,000 bookings received before launch.
Skoda has enjoyed tremendous success with the Kushaq since its launch earlier this month. The mid-size SUV has received 20,000 bookings in the first six months of its launch. The company is going to launch the Slavia mid-size sedan next year. This sedan will compete with Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Honda City and Hyundai Verna.
Engine and Variants
The Skoda Kushaq is available in three variants – Active, Ambition and Style. The new 2021 Skoda Kushaq car is available in a powerful petrol engine. The 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine generates 115 PS of power and 175 Nm of torque. This engine will be available with the option of 6-speed manual or 6-speed torque-converter gearbox. On the other hand, the more powerful 1.5 liter TSI 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine will generate 150 PS of power and maximum torque of 250 Nm. The option of 6-speed manual and 7-speed DSG gearbox has given with this engine.
Strong Features
Talking about the interior of the new Kushak SUV, it gets a very large and spacious cabin. In which a 10-inch digital instrument cluster has given. Apart from this, it offers smartphone connectivity, connected car technology and more. Central AC vents are placed below the touchscreen, below which are feather-touch HVAC controls. Along with this, features like ambient lighting, ventilated front seats, wireless charging, cooled glove box, 6-speakers and a 50w subwoofer, internal memory storage, wireless SmartLink, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Type-C USB port and My Skoda Connect app are also included.
Safety Features
The top-spec Kushaq also gets safety features like 6-airbags, ISOFIX child seat mounts, auto headlamps and wipers, and a multi-collision braking system.
current price
The Skoda Kushak Automatic Style variant is now available with 6 airbags and tyre-pressure monitoring system with a price hike of Rs 40,000. Till now this variant used to come with dual front airbags. While 6-airbags were available in the Style MT trim. But now the new Style AT with 1.0L TSI motor is price at Rs.16,19,999 (ex-showroom). At the same time, the price of the same variant with 1.5 liter TSI engine is Rs 17,99,999 (ex-showroom). On the other hand, customers can buy the Skoda Kushaq AT variant that comes with dual airbags for a price of Rs 15,79,000 (ex-showroom). While the dual airbag variant with the 1.5-litre TSI engine costs Rs 17,59,999 ex-showroom. The company has given curtain and front side airbags in the new variant of Kushk, after which the prices have been increased by 40 thousand rupees.
effect of price hike
However, the hike in prices is not expected to go down well with the car buyers. Even though this decision is being taken swiftly by all the major brands. Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and other manufacturers have already announced price hikes on some or all related models.
With global semiconductor chip shortages continuing and production and supply-chain issues, 2022 is likely to remain a challenge for the Indian auto industry. Market watchers say that while demand is likely to remain strong, a longer waiting period and hike in prices may force many to rethink their plans to buy a new vehicle.
Also Read – iQOO Neo 5 SE smartphone will be launched on December 20, know features and design.
SHARE
