From Pune to Prague: Škoda SUV makes 13-country, 20,000-kilometer drive

A Škoda vehicle built in India has arrived in Prague after completing a nearly 20,000-kilometer overland journey connecting the brand’s Indian production base with its Czech headquarters.

The Škoda Kylaq traveled 19,351 kilometers over 70 days, crossing 13 countries on a route from Pune, India, to Prague. The expedition highlighted the connection between Škoda Auto’s growing operations in India and its historic home in Czechia.

The journey included some of the world’s most challenging driving conditions, with the SUV traveling from below sea level to high-altitude mountain routes and experiencing temperatures ranging from -12 C to 43 C.

The Kylaq was developed specifically for the Indian market, and retails for a budget-friendly sum of about CZK 165,000. It is not sold in the Czech Republic, but the company is reportedly considering direct imports from India, which could be aided by the EU-India trade agreement expected to be rolled out next year.

The expedition began at Škoda Auto Volkswagen India’s manufacturing facility in Pune. The Kylaq then traveled through cities including Mumbai, Vadodara, Udaipur, Jaipur, Agra and Lucknow before crossing into Nepal.

From there, the vehicle continued through China’s Tibetan Plateau and along parts of the historic Silk Road through Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. The route then passed through Georgia, Türkiye, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia before reaching Prague.

According to Škoda, the journey tested the vehicle across mountain roads, high-altitude plateaus, highways and difficult terrain. The car reached elevations of up to 5,364 meters above sea level during the expedition.

The automatic version of the Kylaq was used for the journey. The SUV is powered by a 1.0-liter TSI engine producing 114 horsepower and is based on the MQB-A0-IN platform, which was developed by teams in India and the Czech Republic.

Škoda Auto India Brand Director Ashish Gupta said the expedition demonstrated the capabilities of Indian manufacturing and engineering.

“What began as a symbolic journey connecting our manufacturing facility in India to the home of the brand in the Czech Republic evolved into a celebration of progress, purpose and shared heritage,” Gupta said.

The Kylaq was developed specifically for the Indian market and is Škoda’s first sub-four-meter SUV designed for the country. The model has become a key vehicle for the company’s expansion in India.

The Czech Republic remains Škoda’s global headquarters, while India has become one of the company’s most important international markets. Škoda operates a manufacturing facility in Pune as part of its wider presence in the country.

The arrival in Prague was welcomed by Škoda Auto representatives, including company CEO Klaus Zellmer. According to company officials, the vehicle completed the journey without technical failures or tire problems despite the demanding conditions.

The Pune-to-Prague expedition follows other recent international showcases of Škoda vehicles and reflects the company’s efforts to highlight its global development and manufacturing network.