Skoda To Launch New Car In 2020; Could Rival Creta, Duster

From now on, all new VW Group models that are locally manufactured in India will be based on the modular MQB-A0 platform

Volkswagen Group seems to be right on track with its  ‘INDIA 2.0’ business plan in which it will initially localise the smallest avatar of its modular MQB (Modularer Quer Baukasten a.k.a Modular Transverse Matrix) platform, the MQB-A0. The India-spec platform will be known as MQB-A0-IN. Although ‘IN’ stands for ‘India’, both the Euro-spec MQB A0 and MQB-A0-IN are essentially the same.  

Earlier in April 2018, Skoda had announced that VW Group had commissioned it to localise the MQB-A0 in the country. Now, the Czech automaker has confirmed it will launch the first-ever, made-in-India, MQB-A0-IN-based Skoda in 2020. VW is also likely to introduce its MQB-A0-IN-based offering around the same time. 

Pictured: Sixth-gen VW Polo 

The VW Group has already revealed several upcoming cars that will be underpinned by the MQB-A0 platform. These models range from hatchbacks to sedans and compact SUVs. Even the second-gen Audi A1 is based on this platform. So expect it to be offered here as Audi’s most affordable product as well. But before that happens, Volkswagen and Skoda are likely to introduce compact SUVs based on this platform to take on the best-selling Hyundai Creta.

Pictured: Volkswagen T-Cross Breeze Concept 

The SUVs in question are likely to be based on the Skoda Vision X, which was first unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, and the production-spec VW T-Cross, which is yet to be revealed. Both companies are likely to follow it up with the launch of the new sixth-gen Polo, the new Vento (now known as the VW Virtus in international markets) and the next-gen Skoda Rapid. 

Skoda could also reintroduce the Fabia nameplate, which was discontinued in the Indian market way back in 2013, as the next generation of the hatchback is set to shift to MQB-A0 as well. Meanwhile, the VW Ameo, which was introduced in 2016, is likely to continue with the current PQ25 platform as it is a relatively new product specifically made for the Indian market.

The Volkswagen Group has also announced that all locally manufactured vehicles in India from henceforth will be based on the modular MQB-A0 platform. This also means that the MQB-A0 will be the last platform that the carmaker will invest in when it comes to conventionally powered entry-level cars. With Volkswagen planning to roll out 16 electric vehicles by 2020, expect the carmaker to now pay more attention towards its electric car platform, the MEB (Modular Electric Drive Kit). In the meantime, the MQB-A0 too can handle electrification as the Skoda Vision X concept features a 1.5-litre turbocharged CNG-powered hybrid powertrain.

It’s a similar story with the bigger MQB platform as well. This platform, which underpins cars such as the Skoda Octavia, Superb, Kodiaq, Karoq along with the VW Passat and the Tiguan, is also offered with electrified powertrains such as the Passat plug-in hybrid and the upcoming Skoda Superb plug-in hybrid.