150 Bhp Skoda Kylaq RS: What We Know So Far
Skoda is set to launch the Kylaq Sportline, a sportier version of the small SUV, in September. The Kylaq is currently Skoda’s best-selling model in India, and the idea of a sportier version is bound to excite many. That said, the Sportline will still be powered by the same 1.0L turbocharged petrol engine as the regular car. What if the bigger 1.5L turbo-petrol makes it to the Kylaq? Rumours of a 150 hp Kylaq RS have been circulating for a while now. Here’s everything that we know so far.
In early 2025, during an exclusive interaction, the then-brand director of Skoda India, Petr Janeba, indicated that the company is actively working on a more powerful version of the Kylaq. He did not, however, give a name to the model. The RS badge, however, remains a strong possibility, as it has historically been associated with performance-centric Skoda cars and SUVs.
The biggest highlight will be the engine. The Kylaq RS is expected to get the 1.5L turbocharged petrol engine, found in the higher trims of the Kushaq. It is capable of making around 150hp and could have a similar output on the Kylaq RS. That would mean a terrific power-to-weight ratio and impressive performance. A big engine in a small car is, in most cases, an attractive proposition. Such a move will also mean Skoda not limiting the Kylaq to being just another mass-market product.
Even from an engineering perspective, plonking the 1.5L engine into the Kylaq seems doable. The Kylaq is based on the same MQB A0 IN platform as the Kushaq and Slavia. On those cars, the 1.5L engine is now offered only with a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission. The manual gearbox is no longer available.
In fact, in some European markets, Skoda already offers the 1.5-litre engine on small car models like the Scala, Fabia and Kamiq.
A true performance version of the Kylaq, powered by the bigger engine, according to Skoda’s current Brand Director, Asish Gupta, is still a research project under consideration and a business case hasn’t been established yet. Gupta, however, acknowledges the fact that there would be a set of buyers for the 1.5-litre Kylaq- mostly enthusiasts.
Pricing remains one of the biggest hurdles in shaping this decision. The Kylaq has aggressive pricing as one of its key strengths. It opens at around Rs 7.6 lakh, ex-showroom and has its top variant sitting at Rs 13.7 lakh, ex-showroom.
The 1.5-litre version may have to be priced well above the 1.0L version, as the larger engine will prevent it from qualifying for tax benefits, even though the vehicle length is under 4 metres. (Under the current regime, the engine displacement will have to be under 1200cc and vehicle length should be under 4 metres for it to qualify for 18% GST with zero compensation cess.)
The next question is of demand. Yes, enthusiasts would love the idea of a faster, more powerful Kylaq, even if it comes with a sizable price premium. However, the size of this crowd may not be large enough to justify a strong business case. This could be one of the key factors holding Skoda back from proceeding with the RS project. The company hasn’t made an official comment on this yet.
Firstly, India is an important market for Skoda. Having something like a Kylaq RS on sale can help in increasing its footprint further. The Kylaq is already a huge hit. An RS version will build on the winning formula and appeal to the performance-savvy. They may be small in count but stand significant. The performance version can help Skoda build its brand image, and save the Kylaq from being seen as a ‘mere mass market car’.
Most importantly, it will open a new entry point to Skoda’s performance lineup. Remember how popular the Volkswagen Polo GT 1.5 TSI was back in the day? The Kylaq RS will have high chances of becoming a spiritual successor to it, if executed well.