Skoda Auto India has launched its much-anticipated SUV Kushaq in India. The Kushaq will be available at a starting price of INR 10.49 lakh (ex-showroom) nationwide.

The new SUV is the company's first model based on the MQB-A0-IN platform. It is the first car developed under INDIA 2.0 project by Skoda explicitly designed for the Indian consumer needs and its export markets. It was first showcased as the VISION IN concept at the Delhi Auto Expo in February 2020.

Interior and exterior
The Skoda Kushaq is available in three trims – Active, Ambition and Style – in 5 colour options: Honey Orange, Tornado Red, Candy White, Reflex Silver and Carbon Steel. The SUV is 4,225 mm long, 1,760 mm wide and has a height of 1,612 mm. The SUV has a long wheelbase of 2,651 mm and a minimum laden ground clearance of 155 mm.

The Kushaq features a central, free-standing infotainment touchscreen and a two-spoke multifunction steering wheel. There’s up to 26.2 litres of interior storage space in total along with a boot capacity of 385 litres that can be increased to 1,405 litres by folding down the rear seats.

From Ambition onwards, the ambient lighting illuminates the dashboard and door handles. The door handles, handbrake locking button and air vents are chrome-plated and the gearstick knob is upholstered in leather. The Style variant includes front ventilated black leather seats upholstered in perforated grey design and black leatherette armrests on the centre console and the doors.

Engine
The new SUV is powered by TSI technology with two engine options – 1.0l and 1.5l TSI. The three-cylinder 1.0l TSI produces an output of 85 kW (115 PS) via a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder 1.5l TSI engine churns out 110 kW (150 PS) via a 6-speed manual gearbox or can be coupled with a 7-speed DSG. The 1.5l TSI engine also features the segment-first active cylinder technology (ACT) for better fuel efficiency.

Comfort, connectivity and safety
The Kushaq comes with an array of features related to comfort, connectivity and safety. The Ambition and Style trim levels gets a 25.4 cm colour touchscreen, whereas the lower trim gets a 17.78 cm touchscreen. The 25.4 cm infotainment also features a dual tuner, a Wi-Fi hotspot, an external microphone for hands-free phone calls, valet mode and Wireless SmartLink.

There are six speakers – two front high-tone tweeters, two front bass speakers and two wide-range speakers in the rear – to take care of your audio needs. The Style trim takes it a notch higher with a rear subwoofer in spare-wheel well. There are two USB-C ports in the front centre console for connecting data and charging as well as two at the rear for charging mobile devices. The Style trim also provides wireless charging function. The SUV also features touch-controlled climatronic with air-care function in Ambition and Style variant.

On the safety front, the Kushaq comes with Electronic Stability Control as standard, along with rollover protection (ROPS) and multi-collision braking (MKB). Other safety features include hill-hold control, tyre pressure monitoring system,  up to six airbags, three-point seat belts, height-adjustable headrests and parking sensors as standard. Ambition and upwards also get rear view camera with static guide lines. Brake assist features include ABS (anti-lock braking), EBD (electronic brake force distribution), EDS with XDS and XDS + (electronic differential lock – advanced differential lock), HBV (hydraulic brake-boosting) and BSW (brake disc wiping).

MyŠKODA Connect
The SUV is equipped with the India developed ‘MyŠKODA Connect’ app that provides a safe, convenient and smart driving experience to stay connected with the car. MyŠKODA Connect features real- time car tracking, driving behaviour analysis, trip analysis and insights, and emergency features such as roadside assistance and SOS.

Skoda Kushaq price summary (in INR)

Bookings are open on Skoda online sales portal as well as the 100-plus sales touch points across 85 cities and deliveries will start on 12 July. (MT)

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AU Small Finance Bank has partnered with Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, to introduce 'Suhana Safar', a scheme that links Recurring Deposits (RD) to auto loans. The initiative is aimed at first-time car buyers and applies to the Alto K10, S-Presso, Celerio and WagonR models.

Under the programme, customers open an RD account with AU Small Finance Bank and deposit a monthly amount equivalent to the future car EMI for 3 to 6 months. Upon maturity, the accumulated funds, which have earned interest, are used as the down payment for the vehicle, after which the bank provides the auto loan.

The scheme allows customers to save and earn interest while demonstrating repayment capacity before committing to a loan. The bank also uses this process to evaluate creditworthiness.

AU Small Finance Bank offers RD interest rates of 4.75 percent to 7.40 percent per annum for the general public, and 5.25 percent to 7.90 percent per annum for senior citizens.

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Czech automaker Skoda Auto India has introduced the new Kodiaq RS, the first SUV to carry the performance-focused RS badge in the Indian market at INR 6.69 million (ex-showroom).

The company limited the initial release to 50 units, which were sold out within six minutes of launch. This release aligns with the 50th anniversary of the RS badge and the 125th year of the brand’s motorsport history.

Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India, said, “The RS badge represents an iconic performance legacy. Bringing it to our flagship 4x4, all-terrain, 7-seater SUV combines luxury, capability and motorsport DNA in one offering. The overwhelming response, with all units sold out in minutes, reflects the strong enthusiasm among customers.”

The Kodiaq RS features a 2.0-litre TSI engine producing 195 kW (265 PS) and 400 Nm of torque, paired with a 7-speed DSG transmission and all-wheel drive. The vehicle accelerates from zero to 100 kmph in 6.3 seconds, with a top speed of 231 kmph.

The vehicle is equipped with progressive steering and the latest-generation Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) Plus, which allows drivers to adjust damping characteristics. The Driving Mode Select offers multiple settings, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, Individual, Snow and a dedicated Off-Road mode.

The exterior includes black accents on the grille frame, mirrors, window frames, roof rails, and the D-pillar. The front features a bumper with black elements and a horizontal light strip in the grille. The rear includes a full-width reflector, blacked-out lettering, and stainless-steel exhaust tips. The SUV is fitted with 20-inch Elias alloy wheels and is available in Moon White, Magic Black, Velvet Red and Steel Grey.

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Honda Cars India (HCIL), a leading passenger vehicle manufacturer, has announced wholesales of 8,788 units in June 2026.

In the domestic market, the company sold 5,243 units and 3,545 units for export, which marks 71.5 percent YoY, when the company sold 4,618 units domestically and exported 506 units.

Kunal Behl, Vice-President, Marketing & Sales, Honda Cars India, said, "The launch of new City and India Premiere of global SUV Honda ZR-V has generated strong momentum for our overall sales including Amaze and Elevate during June, driven by healthy customer demand and a positive market response. With Monsoon conditions expected to improve during July, we hope to sustain this positive momentum in the months ahead.

“The deliveries of ZR-V are also scheduled to begin from July. It will draw discerning new customers and prospects into Honda showrooms, enhancing our premium brand appeal and unlocking new growth opportunities,” he added.

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French automotive company Renault India has recorded 4,063 domestic wholesale units in June 2026, a 55 percent YoY increase compared to the previous year. This also marks the 10^th consecutive month of double-digit growth for the company.

Interestingly, for H1 CY2026, the company reported sales of 25,844 units, representing 61 percent YoY growth.

During June, Renault India began exports of the Duster, dispatching 750 units to South Africa. The company stated that this performance reflects customer response to its product strategy and demand across its portfolio.

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