Skoda Kylaq Spied Testing With Rear Disc Brakes: 1.5 TSI-Powered RS Version In The Works?

The Czech automaker Skoda is currently having a great time in the Indian automotive market after the launch of the Kylaq sub-compact SUV. However, the company does not want to stop and is currently working on the development of a more performance-oriented version of this SUV. Recently, a test mule of a Skoda Kylaq with a set of rear disc brakes was spotted in Germany. It is believed that this particular test mule had the bigger and more powerful 1.5-litre TSI engine, which makes 150 bhp.

Skoda Kylaq with rear disc brakes

These images of the Skoda Kylaq test mule with rear disc brakes have been shared on Team BHP’s forum. In these images, we can note that a white Skoda Kylaq SUV was seen at a roundabout outside the office of the person who clicked the pictures. It was described that this particular test mule had a laptop connected inside, which suggests that the company is testing something.

Another important highlight of this mule was that it was equipped with rear disc brakes. For those who may not be aware, the Kylaq sold in India does not get rear disc brakes. As per the speculations, this particular test mule could be a European-spec model which is under testing, or it could be the earlier hinted Kylaq RS variant without any external badging, which could be powered by the 1.5-litre TSI EVO motor.

Could it be the Kylaq RS mule?

Petr Janeba, Skoda India's brand director, had earlier hinted that the company could be launching the Kylaq RS in India. The main highlight of this more performance-oriented version will be its 1.5-litre TSI EVO engine, which makes 150 bhp and 250 Nm of torque. The same motor is currently offered on Skoda and Volkswagen cars like Kushaq, Slavia, Taigun, and Virtus.

All of these vehicles are sold under the GT badge; however, the Kylaq could feature an RS badge. Skoda and its RS badge have been around for a while now, with the first-ever RS model being launched in India in 2004. At the time, Skoda had launched the Octavia vRS, which offered 150 bhp from a 1.8-litre turbo petrol engine.

Now, with the Kylaq, the brand is planning to bring its coveted RS badge to the masses. It is believed that the Skoda Kylaq with the 1.5-litre TSI EVO engine will be able to outperform its sibling, the Kushaq 1.5, as it is lighter and smaller. The only downside of the Skoda Kylaq RS would be that it will get very close to the pricing of the Kushaq.

New Kushaq and Virtus in the works

The Kylaq RS, at the moment, will not make a lot of sense to the majority of the public. However, it has to be noted that the next-generation Kushaq and Slavia will be larger in dimensions and will be more expensive. So, having the Kylaq with the bigger motor will make more sense. It will then have a sufficient gap in the Skoda lineup to justify its pricing.

In other Skoda news, the company recently launched the new-generation Kodiaq in India. This new model has been launched at a price tag of Rs 46.89 lakh (Sportline variant), while the Laurin and Klement variant is priced at Rs 48.69 lakh.