Škoda gave a mid-life facelift to their globally sold Kamiq SUV and Scala hatchback, built on the Škoda/VW MQB A0 platform. Both cars have helped Škoda capture a healthy customer base globally. And with the facelift, both look enhanced inside-out and with the Monte Carlo trims, both get a sportier stance from the outside with sporty interiors. But here, we are focusing on the Kamiq SUV because sooner Škoda will launch it in the Indian market to extend its India lineup.
With the comprehensive update, Kamiq looks a bit sleeker than before, like the LED DRLs are a bit slimmer than before, the headlamps are updated too, the new improved front grill adds more character up front, and the updated front bumper also enhances the overall front look of the Kamiq, moving to the side there is nothing much changed instead of the new set of rims on offer, which goes all the way up to 18″ in size with the Kamiq Monte Carlo, now moving to the rear the only change are those updated taillights and the updated rear bumper, all these tiny upgrades makes the Kamiq looks fresh and amplify its overall stance.
The cabin of Kamiq welcomes you with an updated cabin with upholstery, floor mats and flooring made out of recycled materials, with new climate control with an updated panel to make it more intuitive to use and for the driver and the co-passenger, there’s also an 8″ digital driver display and a 10.25″ touch screen infotainment system. The front seats get a sporty feel with more side bolstering and with fixed headrests to enhance the overall driving feel with the combination of comfort and sportiness and with the Monte Carlo trim enhances the overall sportiness of the interior even more with red accents, red stitching and red ambient lighting.
Previously the Kamiq was offered with both petrol and diesel globally, but due to stricter emission norms and the diesel gate scandal, the Kamiq and Scala both will be offered with a 1.0L TSI 3-cylinder petrol which will be available in 2 sets of tune and gearbox options, one which will produce 93hp paired with a 5-speed manual transmission and the other will be 113hp paired with a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG transmission, moving to 4-cylinders, there will also be a 1.5L TSI 4-cylinder petrol, will produce 158hp paired with a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG gearbox.
As the Scala and the Kamiq are based on the same platform but have different body styles, this resulted in Skoda capturing their market in 57 countries with the Scala and 60 countries with the Kamiq, and with Škoda/VW following the same strategy for India, we got cars like the Škoda Kushaq, VW Taigun, Škoda Slavia and VW Virtus based on the MQB A0 IN platform, not only Škoda/VW, one platform different body style strategy been followed by several other brands like Renault and Nissan with the Kiger and Magnite in India, Toyota and Suzuki with Grand Vitara and Hyryder or Baleno and Glanza, which solves problems like lack of availability of parts and reduce the cost of production of the automakers.
