Škoda Launches New Kylaq SUV in India: A Game-Changer in the Sub-4-Metre Segment
Škoda Auto has commenced series production of the new Škoda Kylaq at its Pune manufacturing facility. This SUV, which made its global debut in early November in Mumbai, is set to begin deliveries to customers in India in January 2025. The Kylaq marks the third Škoda model developed and produced locally, targeting the popular sub-4-metre SUV market. It debuts Škoda’s new Modern Solid design language in India and is equipped with an efficient yet robust 1.0 TSI engine, along with more than 25 standard active and passive safety features. To accommodate the new model, Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited (ŠAVWIPL) has expanded the Pune plant’s capacity by 30%, achieving an annual output of 255,000 vehicles.
Andreas Dick, a Škoda Auto Board Member responsible for Production and Logistics, commented: “The production launch of the Škoda Kylaq exemplifies the excellent teamwork and collaboration across our teams in India and the Czech Republic. Every aspect, from design to cutting-edge manufacturing processes, has been carefully planned and implemented to ensure the highest quality and efficiency. These efforts establish the perfect foundation for the Kylaq to become a key player in India, redefining benchmarks in the compact SUV segment and reinforcing our commitment to this vibrant market.”
Piyush Arora, Managing Director and CEO of ŠAVWIPL stated: “We are thrilled to start production of Škoda Auto India’s first sub-4-metre SUV. Congratulations to the entire team on this milestone. The Kylaq is specifically engineered and developed in India to meet the dynamic needs of Indian customers. By producing the Kylaq locally, we proudly support the Made-in-India initiative while preserving our group's ethos of delivering top safety, comfort, and driving dynamics. Following a positive response at its world premiere, I am confident the Škoda Kylaq will significantly appeal to Indian car buyers.”
Built on the MQB A0-IN platform, a collaborative development between the Czech Republic and India, the Kylaq shares its foundation with the Kushaq SUV and the Slavia saloon, both tailored for the Indian market.
With the initiation of Kylaq production, Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited has enhanced the Pune facility’s annual capacity by 30%, now totalling 255,000 vehicles. This increase is a crucial part of Škoda Auto’s global expansion strategy, which includes efforts in Vietnam, the ASEAN region, and Kazakhstan, focusing on dynamic growth markets and leveraging expertise in cost-effective entry segments.
The Kylaq’s name was chosen through the ‘Name your Škoda’ contest, attracting over 24,000 entries, with the winning name inspired by Mount Kailash and derived from the Sanskrit word for ‘crystal’, mirroring one of Škoda’s traditional design inspirations.
Positioned in the competitive sub-4-metre SUV category, the Kylaq offers a spacious interior, boasting the largest boot capacity in its class at 446 litres. It has over 25 safety features, including a multi-collision brake and six airbags. The Kylaq is powered by a 1.0 TSI turbocharged petrol engine, delivering 85 kW, and is available with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. It introduces several segment-first features, such as ventilated front seats with six-way electric adjustment and, in select variants, an electrically operated sunroof and bamboo fabric interior trim panels, enhancing its appeal in the Indian market.