Skoda Auto has announced that it will launch the new Karoq SUV, Superb facelift and Rapid 1.0 TSI on May 26, 2020. In what could become a trend amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the launches will take place online. Here’s a brief on what to expect:
Karoq: Skoda's Compass rival
In a nutshell, the Karoq is the long-awaited follow-up to the capable Yeti crossover. However, the ingredients will be different. Where the Yeti was a diesel-only and manual-only model, the Karoq for India will be offered in a single petrol-automatic spec. Power will come from a 150hp/250Nm, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine that will come paired to a 7-speed DSG-automatic gearbox. Skoda will go the distance and load the Karoq with lots of goodies. The sole version on offer will get a panoramic sunroof, Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster, an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, dual-zone climate control, nine airbags and more. The Karoq will be brought to India as a completely built-up unit and could, hence, be pricey for its size. Expect it to be priced upwards of Rs 24 lakh. What’s the Karoq like to drive? Our exclusive review has all the details.
2020 Skoda Superb: It’ll be a petrol-only model
The Skoda Superb gets a nip and tuck with a restyled front bumper, new LED headlamps, and a revised grille up front, with more chrome used to embellish the rear. The Superb facelift will be available in two trims – Laurin & Klement (L&K) and Sportline, with the latter featuring sportier touches on the exterior. Feature upgrades will include LED lighting at the front and rear, Skoda’s Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster, an updated infotainment system and wireless smartphone charging, among others. The updated Superb also gets a substantial change under the hood. The old 1.8-litre petrol and 2.0-litre diesel are gone and the large Skoda is now solely offered with a new 190hp, 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Expect this Toyota Camry rival’s prices to be in the range of Rs 28-32 lakh (ex-showroom).
Skoda Rapid: Upgraded with turbo-petrol power
The Rapid has been on sale in India for quite a while; but now it’ll get its most significant mechanical update. Gone are the 1.6-litre naturally aspirated petrol and the 1.5-litre diesel units. In their place, the Rapid will get the 110hp/175Nm, 1.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine that has made its debut in Volkswagen's BS6 Polo and Vento. When bookings opened online, only the manual version was available. However, a 6-speed torque convertor auto gearbox will come later in the year. There aren’t expected to be many changes outside or in – the features list is also expected to be the same as the outgoing model. Expect the Rapid manual to be priced in a range of Rs 8.7-11.7 lakh (ex-showroom).
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Dipan Sur
Glenn Noronha
Dhruv Dhaka
