Should The Skoda Kylaq Get the 1.5-litre Turbo-Petrol Engine?

The Kylaq is Skoda’s first subcompact SUV, and its most affordable model currently in India. It is powered by a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic. It is a sub-4-metre SUV based on the Skoda-VW MQB-A0-IN platform, but it doesn’t come with the larger 1.5-litre TSI engine available on that platform. But should it? We definitely think so. 

Since the Kylaq is a sub-4-metre SUV, Skoda couldn’t give it the larger 1.5 TSI to get the lower excise duty the segment receives. The policy states that a car measuring under 4 metres in length shouldn’t have a petrol engine larger than 1.2 litres and a diesel engine not bigger than 1.5 litres. Since Skoda doesn’t have a diesel engine, the only viable engine for the Kylaq was the 1.0-litre TSI engine which helps it price the SUV aggressively (₹7.89 - 14.40 lakh).

But what if Skoda goes against these rules and gives the consumers the 1.5-litre TSI engine in a sportier version of the Kylaq? Sources tell us that there may be one in the pipeline, possibly taking around 18-20 months to make its debut in India. But there is no certainty if it will happen. 

Once the Kylaq 1.5 arrives, it won’t be cheap. It won’t get the policy benefits that the Kylaq 1.0 gets but it will definitely not be a volumes model for Skoda either. Sources also tell us that the Kylaq 1.5 will only be available with the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. So, clearly, this one will be for the enthusiasts. Imagine a small Skoda with a big engine and a dual-clutch gearbox! Now that would be such a hoot to drive. We really wish Skoda would consider this, making it one of the few hot SUVs that India deserves. 

While we tried speaking to dealers in Mumbai, Chennai, Pune and Delhi, about the potent Kylaq, we didn’t get any answers. 

In terms of prices, the Kylaq 1.5 won’t be cheap either. The Kylaq 1.0 is currently priced between ₹7.89 - 14.40 lakh (ex-showroom, India), and expect the sportier version to be much higher. It could ideally be close to ₹15-16 lakh mark if and when it launches. Do you want Skoda to make this Kylaq 1.5 a reality? We definitely want it to happen.