Spanning two continents over 70 days across 13 countries, the journey perfectly embodied Škoda Auto’s core brand philosophy, “Let’s Explore.”
KOCHI: Co-developed by experts from India and the Czech Republic specifically for the Indian market, Škoda Auto’s first sub-four-meter SUV, the Kylaq, has traveled 19,351 kilometers by road from Pune to Prague in the Czech Republic. This marks the longest journey ever undertaken by an Indian-made passenger vehicle. Setting off from Škoda’s manufacturing plant in Pune, the Kylaq reached Prague in 70 days, effectively connecting the birthplace of Škoda Auto India’s latest SUV with the global brand’s home country. Ashish Gupta, Brand Director of Škoda Auto India, termed the journey a powerful demonstration of Indian engineering and manufacturing prowess on a global stage, noting that the Indian-made vehicle proved its engineering excellence through real-world experiences while traversing countless driving conditions across 13 countries. He added that this expedition not only reaffirms India’s growing role in shaping Škoda Auto’s global future but also reflects their confidence in manufacturing world-class products in India.
The route saw the vehicle travel from Pune through Mumbai, Vadodara, Udaipur, Jaipur, Agra, and Lucknow before crossing the Indian border into Nepal via Gorakhpur. Navigating treacherous mountain roads, the Kylaq crossed Nepal and the Tibetan Plateau, traveling along the ancient Silk Road through Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, before entering Europe via Turkey. It subsequently passed through Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, and Slovakia before arriving at its final destination in Prague. Spanning two continents over 70 days across 13 countries, the journey perfectly embodied Škoda Auto’s core brand philosophy, “Let’s Explore.” During the expedition, the Kylaq successfully navigated altitudes ranging from 154 meters below sea level to 5,364 meters above sea level, while enduring extreme temperatures fluctuating between -12°C and 43°C. Conquering an extraordinary diversity of terrains, climates, cultures, and languages, this grueling expedition demanded exceptional vehicle stability alongside sheer performance. Across these vastly differing conditions, every kilometer tested and successfully proved the Kylaq’s engineering, durability, and everyday reliability.
