During the launch of the Skoda Kodiaq, the Czech car maker had announced its plans to expand its SUV line-up in the country. Next in line after the Kodiaq is the Skoda Karoq which is expected to debut in 2018 and has already been spotted in India.
Found in the parking lot of the international airport at Mumbai, the Karoq is a premium compact SUV that is expected to be pitted against the Jeep Compass. The success of the Compass, selling more than 2,000 units a month, should expedite Skoda’s Karoq plans and we expect the new SUV to be showcased at the Auto Expo 2018.
The car that was spotted was running Czech plates and is a left-hand drive car. The styling is quite similar to the Skoda Kodiaq which means the looks will be imposing but suave. The vertically slatted front grille along with the rectangular headlamps are quite similar along with the high-mounted fog lamps. Being a five-seater, it will certainly be shorter than the Kodiaq but the profile looks fairly similar.
Inside, you can expect the Karoq to match the equipment list offered on the Skoda Octavia as it will be priced slightly above the Octavia. This means, it will get similar engine options as offered on the Octavia. While the 2.0-litre TDI diesel will certainly be there, you can expect it to be powered by the 1.4-litre TSI if not the 1.8-litre version of the petrol mill. You will have options of both the manual and DSG automatic gearboxes and might have an all-wheel drive for the top-spec car as well.
