Volkswagen 7-Seater SUV in Consideration - Safari, XUV700 Rival

Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited is reportedly planning to finalise its next phase of investment and expansion in the country. The company is in discussion with multiple partners for the new vehicle architecture and new models including electric vehicles. 

A new media report claims that Skoda-Volkswagen is looking to localise the MQB AO 37 platform. This architecture is basically the bigger first-gen MQB Platform, which underpins the third-gen Octavia and Mk 7 Volkswagen Golf. This platform will allow the Group to develop C-segment models for the Indian market. 

The Volkswagen and Skoda cars on sale in our market are based on the second-gen MQB AO 27 platform, which was first introduced in global markets in 2016. In fact, the upcoming Skoda compact SUV is also based on the same platform. This platform is not versatile enough to accommodate bigger cars and only accommodates a smaller range of global products including VW Polo, T-ROC and Skoda Kamiq. 

The Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq SUVs are also based on the same MQB AO 27 platform. Both models look smaller than the competition. In fact, the width of the rear seat is limited and is only good to accommodate 2 adults. 

The report reveals that the next-gen Taigun and Kushaq could be based on the MQB AO 37 platform. The larger platform will allow the German brand to create bigger and more flexible models in the mid-sized SUV. In fact, Volkswagen-Skoda is also planning to introduce a new 7-seater SUV in the Indian market. This older architecture will require heavy investment to meet the future connectivity software and ADAS tech. 

The new platform is compatible with hybrid powertrains, which will allow Volkswagen Group to introduce more cleaner and greener cars. It is reported that the next-gen Skoda Slavia, Volkswagen Virtus, Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun will be based on the new MQB AO 37 platform. These new vehicles will be launched between 2027 and 2030.

Source - AutoCarIndia