Left-Hand Drive Skoda Kushaq Spotted

A Skoda Kushaq with a left-hand drive configuration was recently spotted on the Nashik-Pune highway. This model was most likely being tested for export to other international markets rather than for sale locally. It came with a bright-red sticker on the right side of the rear fascia saying “Left Hand Drive.” This could mean Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited (SAVWIPL) is positioning India as an export hub to facilitate further expansion in other markets.

Technical Details

The Kushaq was the company’s first new model to be launched under the Volkswagen Group’s India 2.0 project. It came with the new MQB-A0-IN platform that was more localised than before. This platform is shared with other India 2.0 cars such as the Slavia, Taigun, Virtus and more recently, the Kylaq..

Powertrain Information

In India, the Kushaq is available with two turbo-petrol engine options: a 1.0L, 3-cylinder TSI that makes 113 BHP and 178 Nm and a 1.5L, 4-cylinder TSI that puts out 148 BHP and 250 Nm. Both engines are available with manual & automatic transmission options. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard with both engines, while the 1.0L engine gets a 6-speed torque converter automatic, and the 1.5L engine comes with a 7-speed DSG gearbox.

What Could This Mean?

The production of the left-hand drive version of the Kushaq commenced in September 2022 at Skoda’s Chakan facility near Pune. This was to target exports to countries that require left-hand drive configurations such as the Middle East & parts of Europe. The first consignment of these LHD models was sent to the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council (AGCC) countries. With a facelift expected for the Kushaq with updated interiors, this left-hand drive model could reflect impending updates for the Kushaq globally as well as in India. Currently, the Kushaq is sold in the Middle East, in South East Asia, and countries like South Africa.

Source – Shreyas S. Padhye