The Skoda Kamiq will be coming to India via the CBU route as a rival to the Creta and Seltos, but it must not be confused with the upcoming Vision IN SUV, which will be locally manufactured and will be more affordable than the Kamiq.
The mid-size SUV segment is growing just as crowded as the sub-compact SUV segment and we are still yet to receive Skoda’s and Volkswagen’s mid-size SUVs. There has not been much talk about Skoda’s upcoming mid-size SUV as it was over-shadowed with a slew of other new car launches, and of course the pandemic as well. Now again, the Skoda Kamiq has been spotted testing on Indian roads and we are here to give you a fresh recap about this mid-size SUV that’s slated for a launch sometime in 2021.
The Kamiq is the smallest SUV in Skoda’s global product portfolio yet and it sits below the recently launched Karoq in the Czech carmaker’s limeup. Just like the Karoq, the Kamiq will also come to India via the CBU route but it will a little more affordable than the former. While the Karoq has been launched in India for a price of Rs 24.99 lakh, expect the prices of the Kamiq to range in between Rs 16-18 lakh. The Kamiq, just like the Karoq and the Volkswagen T-Roc, is based on VW Group’s MQB AO platform. It is the flexibility of this platform that is allowing for so many vehicles of different sizes.
It’s also worth mentioning that although the Skoda Kamiq will be pitted against the likes of the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos, it must not be confused with the upcoming SUV based on the Skoda Vision IN Concept. The production-spec Vision IN will be based on an Indian-spec version of the MQB AO platform, called the MQB AO IN. It will also be locally manufactured here in India and will be much more affordable as well. Prices for the production-spec Vision IN are expected to range in between Rs 10-17 lakh, just like most other mid-size SUVs in this segment and it will not be limited in numbers either.
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The Skoda Kamiq will however be limited in numbers as it will come to India via the CBU route, under the 2500 unit import rule. The overall styling of the SUV will also be largely similar to the international-spec Kamiq but the India-spec model could get some flashier styling elements like greater use of chrome to suit local taste. On the inside, the Kamiq-based SUV will offer the latest from Skoda. A large touchscreen infotainment system is expected to take center stage on dashboard. Skoda is also expected to offer lots of features on its India-spec version of the Kamiq, with elements like a panoramic sunroof being likely.
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Internationally, the Kamiq is available with three petrol, two diesel and one CNG powertrain. Skoda hasn’t yet confirmed the exact engine options for the Kamiq in India. However, we expect the Kamiq to be powered by a 150hp, 1.5L turbo-petrol TSI engine that already does duty on Volkswagen T-Roc and the Skoda Karoq. Being an import, this engine will likely solely come mated to a 7-speed DSG gearbox and will be offered in a single fully-loaded trim. Skoda and VW, both have had a fairly successful run with their imported SUVs lately and the Kamiq is expected to continue that trend until the production-spec Vision IN arrives and Skoda can finally start having some volumes.
