The Skoda Kylaq has quietly turned into one of the brand’s most dependable volume pullers. Month after month, the numbers look healthy, and dealers finally have something that walks into the showroom without too much convincing. Whenever that happens, the next step is predictable. New variants, new powertrains, wider reach. That is where the Kylaq CNG conversation starts. But if you are expecting a neat factory-fitted CNG badge on the tailgate, slow down a bit. The story seems slightly different.
Related News
Dealer-level CNG retrofit, not factory-fitted
From what is doing the rounds inside dealer circles, Skoda is likely to go the dealer-level retrofit route for the Kylaq CNG. The car would roll out in petrol form and get a company-approved CNG kit installed at the dealership.
This is not new territory. Several manufacturers have taken this route to keep costs and approvals in check. The upside is warranty support. The downside depends heavily on how well each dealer executes the job.
Manual gearbox only, and that is expected
Do not expect an automatic with CNG here. The Kylaq CNG is likely to be limited to a manual transmission. Cost control and technical simplicity are the obvious reasons.
Anyone who has driven Skoda’s 1.0 TSI knows how lively it feels in petrol form. With CNG, that character will soften. The headline 114 bhp figure will stay on paper, not on the road.
How well will the 1.0 TSI adapt to CNG
The Kylaq currently runs the familiar 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine. The same motor is said to be under evaluation with a CNG setup. On paper, it works. In real driving, the feel is what matters.
I still remember driving a turbo-petrol car converted to CNG years ago. The owner was thrilled with fuel bills. I was less impressed when it came to overtakes. In the city, fine. On open roads, the engine hesitated.
Kylaq range keeps expanding steadily
Skoda is clearly not done with the Kylaq yet. New Classic+ and Prestige+ variants have already been added, both with manual and automatic options. There is also talk of a Sportline variant, expected around the third quarter of calendar year 2026. Simple message here. Skoda wants to stretch the Kylaq lifecycle properly.
Prices have gone up, CNG softens the blow
Earlier this month, Kylaq prices were revised upward by as much as Rs 15,000 depending on the variant. With prices inching up, CNG becomes a useful counter argument. Lower running costs make the hike easier to digest. That said, CNG ownership always circles back to service quality. A small issue can turn into a long wait if support is not tight.
Also read : Skoda Kylaq Classic+ and Prestige+ Launched Prices Start at Rs. 8.25 Lakh
Final word from experience
If and when the Kylaq CNG arrives, it will be aimed squarely at buyers who value running cost over driving excitement. Skoda knows this. My advice stays the same. Let it launch. Let a few cars hit the road. Speak to real owners. Decisions made after that usually age better than those based on early buzz.
