Škoda Slavia: ‘Rapid’ for India would be interesting in Europe as well. It will cost under € 9,000! – PRAVDA.sk

Škoda has finally introduced its long-announced cheap sedan Slavia, intended for the Indian market. It has a modern design and a huge suitcase.

After the Kushaq SUV, Škoda unveiled its second Indian model. It is the long-announced Slavia sedan, which it developed as part of the India 2.0 project and which will be manufactured in this billion-dollar market with 95% supplier localization. Its appearance after a number of sketches is not surprising. Slavia looks like a smaller Octavia. In this case, however, it is a sedan with a separate trunk lid. The format is therefore closest to the former Rapid, which was replaced in Europe by the newer Scala. With a total length of 4,541 mm, however, this liftback outperforms by almost six centimeters and a wheelbase of 2,651 mm by five centimeters.

The basis is, similarly to Kushaq, a cheaper version of the MQB platform with the attribute A0-IN. Despite its price orientation, Slavia surprises with a design that is not far from European Škoda models. At the front, the low-seated 6-angle mask with a typical tooth also attracts lights, which can be equipped with full-LED technology in higher equipment. Diodes are standard in the back and day. There is also a typical “tornado line”, cecek graphics of the rear split lights and crystal motifs referring to the tradition of Czech glass production. Specifically, the Škoda inscriptions on the front fenders and more chrome, which is still popular in India, unlike in Europe.

In the spacious cabin, Slavia was inspired by the new Fabia. You can see it on the dashboard with circular vents through which the decorative bar passes. Current design trends are also clear from the two-spoke steering wheel. The damage did not save even on infotainment. The digital cockpit is complemented by a central 10-inch free-standing screen. Connectivity with smartphones is ensured by Bluetooth or the SmartLink function. There are no USB ports or inductive charging. Manual air conditioning, which is standard equipment, received a separate panel. Higher levels of equipment boast Climatronic air conditioning. In both cases, the air conditioning system is more efficient than in Europe and has exhausts for the rear passengers.

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The surcharge price list even includes ventilated leather seats (!), Keyless unlocking and starting, a monochrome rear-view mirror or a panoramic sunroof. The damage remained true to Slavia’s practical element Simply Clever. The rear seats are foldable and divided in a ratio of 60:40, the drink holder has a specially designed bottom so that the bottles can be easily opened with one hand. In the compartments in the door, the objects are held by rubber strips. All this is crowned by a huge suitcase with a volume of 521 liters. When folded, it is up to 1,050. Six airbags or a multi-collision brake ensure safety. The ESC stabilization system is in control of the skid protection. It is the standard in Europe, but not in India.

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Indian customers will have a choice of two petrol engines. These also correspond to the current European offer. The only difference is their ability to burn even lower quality gasoline. The basis is a 3-cylinder 1.0 TSI (85 kW) and above it is a 4-cylinder 1.5 TSI (110 kW). Both are combined as standard with a 6-speed manual transmission. However, a specific 6-speed automatic transmission with a hydrodynamic converter is prepared for a smaller engine, which we do not know in Europe. For stronger ones, you can pay extra for a 7-speed DSG double coupling. Traction is improved by the XDS + electronic differential.

With Slavia, Škoda has big plans in India. That is why it produces it directly at its Indian plant in Pune. The great start of the Kushaq SUV gives her a great chance of success. This is also due to the price at which it should get well below 9,000 euros. We can only dream of something like this in Europe. Therefore, don’t worry about Slavia, whose Škoda launch will start in India in 2022. Although it has export ambitions, for example, Škoda counts on it in the markets of Southeast Asia, Latin America, Russia or Africa, but the old continent is missing from the list. Recall that Kushaq and Slavia will later receive siblings with Volkswagen logos. Their development was also provided by Škoda.

Dimensions, volumes

Technical specifications

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