[TusharK]

Skoda has showcased a new concept of the Kushaq featuring a rugged look. Dubbed the Kushaq Explorer, the SUV was recently unveiled and is being evaluated for the Indian market.



Based on the Kushaq Style, the new concept gets a range of cosmetic changes. These include a matte green exterior colour with orange highlights, black body cladding and silver skid plates. The SUV also gets a blacked-out front grille, black alloy wheels, and ORVMs as well as functional roof rails fitted with an LED light bar.



Inside, the Kushaq Explorer features body-coloured dashboard inserts and is equipped with a head-up display, a 360-degree camera and an upgraded reverse camera with guidelines.

The Kushaq Explorer will be offered with the same set of engines as the standard model. These include the 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 114 BHP and 178 Nm and the 1.5-litre turbo-petrol unit that makes 148 BHP and 250 Nm. Transmission options will include a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed DSG.

Link to Team-BHP news

[TheManualGear]

These Pseudo SUV packages are making spresso to look like defender of sorts and now with the kushaq. In foreign countries, cars as small as i20 get Awd and here such big SUVs don't get even RWD. Huh nothing can be done.

[Mitadru]

The Kushaq does look butch in these pictures. Maybe they're trying to move the left over parts from the Taigun trail edition. By the way, one should not go out and buy this model if it launches. All the extra features like 360 cam, heads up display will trickle down to the Style and Monte Carlo variants. We all saw what happened with the Lava blue edition, where the 10 inch infotainment was ultimately standardised in the Style variant. So I personally feel, one would just be spending unnecessary money to get these special edition, which the VAG group are launching one too many these days: I especially sympathise with those who bought a Kushaq MY2024, as the latest version, finds that some feature addition are already on their way.

[Aditya]

The Skoda Kushaq Explorer is just a concept at the moment. Skoda is evaluating it for the Indian market and will consider introducing it if the response is favourable. It is based on the Kushaq Style variant but features a host of cosmetic changes.

Looks great in this matte green shade. Most chrome bits have been deleted:


At the front, there are changes to the radiator grille and bumper:


Radiator grille is finished in glossy black and has one pair of slats finished in orange. Notice the front camera at the bottom:


Front bumper gets orange inserts on the sides and the silver skid plate:


Tow eye is finished in orange:


On the sides, there are changes to the wheels, AT tyres, body cladding, ORVMs and door handles:


The only chrome bits that have been retained are found in the Skoda badges on the front body panels:


ORVMs are finished in glossy black. Notice the camera for a 360-degree camera system underneath:


Door handles are body-coloured - in this case, matte green:


Black cladding on the doors gets an orange insert:


16" black alloy wheels shod with 215/65 section AT tyres:




Roof rails are finished in glossy black. They are functional and fitted with an LED light bar:


At the rear, there are changes to the chrome bits, spoiler and bumper:


Roof-mounted spoiler gets orange extentions...


...which stick out:


Chrome bits like lettering/badging and the strip on the tailgate have been replaced with black units. 1.5 TSI badge is new:


Skid plate finished in silver and black looks more aggressive:


Gets and orange tow eye:


The car was locked, so we couldn't get a look inside:


Spotted what looked like an aftermarket head-up display:

[Shreyans_Jain]

I don’t understand, who are these people trying to fool here?

All I see is a new shade, and a few accessories thrown in. Nothing different than the zillion so called special editions Škoda anyway does. And they are trying to spin this one as some very unique special edition which they are so graciously ‘evaluating’ if we are worthy enough to be blessed by its presence.

Yeah yeah, Skoda sent Kushaq over to Karol Bagh. Now stop wasting our time and focus on getting your global products here.

[epijay]

The light bar on the roof rack makes it inoperable as a roof rack!

[handsofsteel]

Originally Posted by epijay

The light bar on the roof rack makes it inoperable as a roof rack!

If the explorer edition indeed makes it way onto the open market in the present form, would the LED bar be road legal, considering that it is factory fit? Logic tells me no, because then every tom, dick and harry SUV manufacturer could start fitting bull bars and powerful blinding lights. But then, this is OEM fit and not aftermarket, so should be allowed, right? Could any expert please shed some light on this please?

[pratyushpks]

Originally Posted by handsofsteel

If the explorer edition indeed makes it way onto the open market in the present form, would the LED bar be road legal, considering that it is factory fit? Logic tells me no, because then every tom, dick and harry SUV manufacturer could start fitting bull bars and powerful blinding lights. But then, this is OEM fit and not aftermarket, so should be allowed, right? Could any expert please shed some light on this please?

Since its factory fitted, its legal, but not for public roads. They are made for off roads and thus like flood lights on bumpers of SUVs. They would probably give cover for it so that you have to keep it on the LED lights while on public roads.

[dhanushs]

Originally Posted by TusharK

Skoda has showcased a new concept of the Kushaq featuring a rugged look. Dubbed the Kushaq Explorer, the SUV was recently unveiled and is being evaluated for the Indian market....

I somehow think this doesnt have the Skoda touch. It rather looks like a enthusiast has has taken a Kushaq and modified it on their own taste. Eg: If you really wanted to have an LED bar on a such a classy car, you get a nice sleek single row one. Not the old school bar. Also the tow hook

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by Aditya

The Skoda Kushaq Explorer is just a concept at the moment.]

12-14 years ago they made the Fabia Scout.
A similar beefed up concept. Their Sibling had the VW Cross Polo. The Fiat Avventura was another one, albeit from a competitor.
And now this one.

While it looks good and all, it is more ‘show’ than ‘go’. And that is exactly what most of India wants. The ‘look’ is more important. And of course the Ground Clearance.

I don’t think we will ever see the likes of the Skoda Yeti again. That was a singular piece of excellently inspired individualism and wonderfully thoughtful functionality, which has now sadly, become subsumed by the Middle-of-the-road Corporate Committee Culture.

https://youtu.be/FEFAu8fT8fY?si=H8Tlr-la0HsGqt-O

[jungleroars]

So, you change the color to green or somewhat earthy, change Tyres a bit, just give a rugged look and call it explorer edition, Kaziranga edition, earth edition and what not. I am sure there are so many people in the market who would buy such products and try to show off their adventure/explorer lifestyle (which is all fake).

[sachin_cs]

Why does a car need two rear cameras? I know JLR offers an extra camera in the sharkfin antenna for the clearsight rear view mirror but is Skoda also offering something like it?



If the answer is - the another one is for 360 camera then I just don’t get the purpose of wasting money on such clueless editions and events. Why not put those fund in improving the quality of interiors.

[@PetrolheadASH]

Looks good but is in no way an SUV. Lacks the basic requirement of an SUV i.e a 4X4 drive and power to go with it. I have seen numerous compact "SUV's" (Kushaq included) get stuck in the mud and ice simply because they are not 4X4's and their owners get a fake sense of adventure thinking that they have bought an SUV so they can literally "go anywhere". They are hatchbacks on steroids in my very honest and sincere view.

[lionell]

Absolute rubbish. Right from the light bar execution and those elongated screws to the aftermarket HUD.

Looks like the marketing team sat on this without the design team's knowledge.

[Reinhard]

Originally Posted by Aditya

The Skoda Kushaq Explorer is just a concept at the moment. Skoda is evaluating it for the Indian market and will consider introducing it if the response is favourable. It is based on the Kushaq Style variant but features a host of cosmetic changes.

So now basically aftermarket cosmetic accessories will be launched as "Concepts" also? Other carmakers are showcasing smashing hot designs as concepts while these Skoda guys & girls need a "Concept" for adhesive-slapped body cladding kits and colour shades. Tough days ahead if this is the way forward. That partner that VW-Skoda is looking for, really has its work cut out.

That said - this "concept" at least has some difference visually with the original car variant. Feels so much better than the Slavia Style Style Edition .