It was earlier this month when Skoda confirmed that the Vision IN concept car had been christened as Kushaq. The Czech brand also announced that the upcoming compact SUV would arrive in the summer of 2021. Now, we’ve got some more dope. First, it will make its world premiere in March 2021. Second, it will be available two petrol engines, and three, it will be handsomely equipped to take on the competition.

Let’s get to the mechanical side of things first. The Skoda Kushaq will be on offer with 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre petrol engines, both flaunting the TSI badge. It is safe to say that the smaller of the two will be the same unit that also powers the Skoda Rapid, Volkswagen Polo and the Volkswagen Vento. Under the transmissions department, the Kushaq will have three options. Depending on the engine and variant chosen, the SUV will pack a 6-speed manual, a 6-speed automatic or a 7-speed DSG. Expect the 1.0-litre engine to offer around 110hp, and the 1.5-litre unit to produce close to 130hp.

Coming to the list of features, the Kushaq will come with LED-powered headlamps, taillamps and DRLs, height-adjustable driver’s seat, automatic climate control, up to six airbags (dual as standard) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). It will also offer Hill-Hold Control, auto headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, tyre pressure monitoring, and cruise control. Other details drawn from these official photographs include all-black alloy wheels, roof rails and a shark-fin antenna.

SAVWIPL (Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt. Ltd.) says that the Kushaq “is ideally suited for use in India’s metropolises.” When it launches, it will become the first product from the company to be based on MQB-A0-IN platform, an architecture that will underpin multiple other models from Skoda and Volkswagen brands.

Skoda says that the Kushaq will have a wheelbase of 2,651mm, which is 41mm more than what the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos have. Compared to the Nissan Kicks, however, the Kushaq has 22mm less to play with. Expect Skoda to price the Kushaq competitively. And, as we know, the same recipe will also be used in the Volkswagen Taigun. That will arrive in showrooms before 2021 comes to a close.