Skoda will develop an all-new SUV on the Eco platform, likely to rival the Hyundai Creta.
Skoda will take the lead in developing the low-cost Eco platform for the Volkswagen Group to cater to price-conscious and emerging markets like India.
The first few cars to be based on the Eco platform will be a compact SUV and a mid-size sedan. The compact SUV is likely to be a 5-seater SUV that will primarily rival the Hyundai Creta. Both Volkswagen and Skoda will develop their own versions of the SUV but will share powertrain and other mechanicals.
Volkswagen Group’s EA189 1.5-litre diesel engine will be phased out by 2020 and it is likely that a scaled-down version of the EA288 2.0-litre diesel engine will be used to power the new compact SUV. The company could also outsource a compact diesel engine from some other manufacturer.
The mid-size sedan is likely to replace the Skoda Rapid and Volkswagen Vento. After the mid-size sedan, Skoda will roll-out a hatchback, but this will happen post 2022. The Czech carmaker is silent on the volume estimation but suppliers say they have been asked to quote for production numbers between 1,80,000 and 4,00,000 units, of which a lion’s share will be for the export markets.
Skoda Compact SUV Launch
– Skoda to launch an all-new compact 5-seater SUV to rival Hyundai Creta
– The new Skoda SUV is due in 2020
– Skoda has also planned for a mid-size sedan and a hatchback on the Eco platform
Source – AutocarIndia.com