Škoda Auto India today said it will unveil its all-new Kylaq SUV through a motion picture directed by Indian filmmaker Rohit Shetty. This marks the first time a car will premiere on an over-the-top (OTT) platform in India, with the cinematic experience scheduled to go live on November 6, 2024, at 12:30 PM on Jio Cinema. The film will showcase the Kylaq’s design and performance across various terrains.
Petr Janeba, Brand Director of Škoda Auto India, highlighted the cultural significance of films in both India and the Czech Republic. He said, “(…) In India, movies are very nearly a way of life and part of every Indian’s fibre.” Janeba emphasised that the Kylaq was conceived for the Indian market, noting that the name was chosen by the people of India.
Derived from the Sanskrit term for crystal and named after Mount Kailash, the Kylaq aims to democratise European technology on Indian roads.
The Kylaq is powered by the reliable and efficient 1.0 TSI engine, available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. This engine delivers 85kW of power and 178Nm of torque. Built on the MQB-A0-IN platform—the same as the Kushaq and Slavia, which have earned a full 5-star rating in Global NCAP tests for adult and child safety—the Kylaq upholds a strong safety pedigree.
Equipped with over 25 active and passive safety features as standard, the Kylaq includes six airbags, traction and stability control, anti-lock brakes, Electronic Brake Distribution, Brake Disc Wiping, Roll Over Protection, Motor Slip Regulation, Electronic Differential Lock, Passenger Airbag Deactivation, Multi-Collision Braking, ISOFIX child seat anchors, and more.
The announcement of the Kylaq follows Škoda Auto India’s commitment to introducing a sub-4-metre SUV in the Indian market. This initiative included a nationwide campaign that invited the public to suggest names for the new vehicle. The Kylaq will join Škoda’s existing SUV lineup, which includes the Kodiaq and the mid-sized Kushaq, with the latter also named after a Sanskrit word meaning emperor.
Škoda Auto India plans to expand its presence by increasing its touchpoints to 350 by 2025, aiming to reach new markets and customers with the introduction of the Kylaq. The company first revealed its intentions to launch the under-4-metre SUV in February 2024 as part of its strategy to broaden its market share in India.
The company experienced significant growth in the Indian market, achieving its highest sales figures in 2022, with over 100,000 cars sold in a two-year period, a feat that previously took six years to accomplish. The introduction of the Kylaq is expected to further increase Škoda’s addressable market share in India, reflecting the rapid pace of growth since the implementation of the MQB-A0-IN platform.