Remember the Skoda Vision IN from February last year? Well, that has dropped its codename and has become the Kushaq. Skoda confirms that the compact SUV will launch in summer of this year. And when it does, it will become Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt. Ltd.’s (SAVWIPL) first product under the crucial India 2.0 project. It will also become the first product to feature Volkswagen Group’s MQB-A0-IN platform. More about the SUV in a bit. First, what is Kushaq?

Sanskrit scholars will tell you that they’ve come across the word “Kushak” in their favourite language. When translated into English, “Kushak” becomes King or Emperor. So, why has Skoda replaced the ‘K’ with a ‘Q’? Well, to bring the nameplate in line with its SUV family. This is how Skoda has named all its SUVs – Kodiaq, Karoq and Kamiq. The name begins with a ‘K’ and ends with a ‘Q’.

This is what Zac Hollis, who is the brand director at Skoda Auto India, said in an official release:

The new ŠKODA KUSHAQ will offer a compelling combination of the brand’s timeless design ideals, unmatched performance, superior build quality, exemplary value proposition, and enhanced safety and security. It is deemed to be the best seller in its class, setting the benchmark for functionality, practicality, spaciousness, and convenience.

At the moment, there are no confirmed details about the production-ready Kushaq. That said, it will have only a petrol engine in its line-up, most probably a 1.5-litre TSI. Expect the power and torque figures to be somewhere around 130hp and 250Nm, respectively. The powerplant will be available with a manual as well as an automatic transmission. Could the lovely DSG make a comeback with the Kushaq? Oh, how we wish! But, in all probability, it’ll stick with a 6-speed torque converter to keep the costs in check.

As you must be aware, Volkswagen will use Kushaq’s basic recipe to ready the Taigun. Both compact SUVs will get their price lists within 2021. In India, they will rival the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and the Nissan Kicks. Exciting times ahead!