[TusharK]

According to a media report, Skoda will soon introduce 6 airbags on the top-spec 'Style' AT trim of the Kushaq. In addition to the side curtain airbags, this variant will also get a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS).



The Kushaq is available in three variants - Active, Ambition and Style. At present, only the Style MT variant gets 6 airbags and TPMS.

The Kushaq is available with two turbo-petrol engine options. These include a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder TSI that makes 113 BHP and 178 Nm and a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder TSI that puts out 148 BHP and 250 Nm. While a 6-speed manual transmission is offered as standard, the 1.0L engine gets a 6-speed automatic option. The 1.5L motor comes with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

At present, the 1.5-litre TSI engine is only available in the top-spec Style trim. However, as per a transport department document, a mid-spec Ambition 1.5 TSI could also be on the cards.

Source: Autocar India

Link to Team-BHP News

[malim]

As damage control goes this is almost certainly too little too late.

[akash_v12]

As much as I appreciate this, it still makes me feel that the initial owner will feel seriously short charged now. Wonder what kept them from throwing in the 6 airbags initially itself.

[pannags]

Originally Posted by TusharK

According to a media report, Skoda will soon introduce 6 airbags on the top-spec 'Style' AT trim of the Kushaq. In addition to the side curtain airbags, this variant will also get a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

Wow, that was really quick! This is the one thing that was sorely missing and had to be done for the reason that Skoda/VW are known for safety over everything else.

Customers who bought the Style AT on launch and have had to go through undue worry from the initial niggles must be feeling let down.

Anyway, can't blame Skoda for listening to the customer's voice. In fact, they've upped the game just in the nick of time. It would now be interesting to see what the top Taigun AT variant offers for differentiation.

[Venkatesh]

Reaction of existing customers for Style AT with 6 airbags launch announcement and demand an upgrade.

[octane_100]

People who bought it, did so out of their own free will! It was only matter of time that this addition would have happened. Crying foul at Skoda is not fair

[Shreyas_H]

Reaffirms my belief that I will never buy a new car immediately at launch.
Feature updates leading to buyer's remorse, niggles, teething issues etc end up being a pain and taking away from a new car ownership experience! Harrier buyers experienced the same thing!

[igemini]

Good move Skoda. Infact they have forced to add this variant. Either way the customer will be beneficial. But one doubt, this means there will be 2 Style variants? Style AT with 6 airbags and Style AT with 2 airbags? If only one variant with 6 Airbags then, the cost is going to increase substantially I believe.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by octane_100

People who bought it, did so out of their own free will! It was only matter of time that this addition would have happened. Crying foul at Skoda is not fair

Agree.

If six airbags was the biggest priority - there was always the option of waiting for Taigun as well. It was known that Skoda will add 6 airbags at a later point, after the Taigun is launched with that feature differentiation. If people still found it worth their money, a future update isn't going to change that!

Volkswagen and Skoda are both trying to sell the same product with two different packaging. I believe this was done intentionally to avoid sibling rivalry, at least during the initial media frenzy - Volkswagen getting a fully loaded 1.5 DSG and Skoda getting a fully loaded 1.5 DSG manual. Want a simpler example for them trying hard to differentiate? Skoda had claimed their roof rails are only cosmetic, whereas VW clearly claimed they are functional. But the Kushaq owner's manual shows the Skoda has functional ones just the same.

There will never be an end to buyer's remorse if we start crying for every feature update.

Fact is - Skoda hasn't set the sales charts on fire and the bookings are just about enough for their sales targets - 10000 bookings for the Kushaq and Taigun both this week, clearly shows customers favouring the Taigun over it's cousin, even though the Kushaq got a clear first-mover advantage. Now with the Astor also in the fray, the Skoda top-end automatic looks barebones in comparison and needs a boost of features soon enough. Along with the PR failure over the EPC issues - it is no wonder they are acting fast on feature updates.

These are the initial blockbuster months for sales. I'd rather see them doing well after a couple of quick course corrections - rather than wait till mid-life refresh to provide updates and end up losing sales. 2.0 plan was a huge investment and there is a chance they might wind up and leave (like the Americans) if these products don't fetch returns.

[Dead_Pedal]

There's a good chance a lot of these people might have straight away booked the Kushaq without taking a test drive mostly looking at all the bling on offer. Then, social media ridicule and praise on "build quality" of some other cars follows leading to them feel hard done by. Funny one of them is trying a legal option to get additional airbags. Those who really prioritised the extra airbags would have definitely ditched the Kushaq.

[sheelapratosh]

One of the reasons I didn’t go after Style AT was the lack of airbags and TPMS. This is a good move.

My contact says this trim will be called “Style Plus AT”

[IamThat]

Good to see Skoda responding fast. First for the EPC issue and then bringing in the fully loaded car with 6 air bags.

Was a bit reluctant for lack of 6 airbags with 1.5 DSG. Now, it ticks most of points, except for service centre presence around my place and of course reliability. Hopefully, these will be addressed by seemingly pro-active Skoda top management.

Planning to go for a test drive of Kushaq 1.5 DSG in next couple of days.

[neoonwheels]

Is it limited to 1.0 AT or 1.5 DSG also gets the extra airbags now?

[Venkatesh]

Originally Posted by neoonwheels

Is it limited to 1.0 AT or 1.5 DSG also gets the extra airbags now?

Both the Style AT and DSG variants will get extra airbags and TPMS

Price announcement next week

[CircleOfLife]

Originally Posted by Venkatesh

Both the Style AT and DSG variants will get extra airbags and TPMS

Price announcement next week

Attachment 2208330

Looks like there is a price bump expected for these additions else Zac would have already said it.