Skoda Slavia production underway in India; launch in March 2022

The production of the upcoming Skoda Slavia sedan, the Rapid's replacement and rival to the Honda City, Hyundai Verna and Maruti Ciaz, has commenced at the company's manufacturing facility in Chakan near Pune.

Czech Automaker Skoda has started series production for the Skoda Slavia at its manufacturing facility in Chakan near Pune, Maharashtra and claims that the car is 95 per cent localised. The new sedan is to replace the ageing Skoda Rapid and is based on a localised version of Volkswagen’s MQB platform named the MQB A0-IN. VW Group’s new launches, the Skoda Kushaq and Volkswagen Taigun are based on the same platform too.

Skoda Slavia shares its design ethos with its siblings, the Octavia and the Superb but carries its own identity with the sharp lines and wide stance. While it is a sedan, the coupe inspired roof-line makes it unique. Sharp LED headlamps and DRLs at the front, and the chrome-bordered grille create a very identifiable Skoda design. The rear has C-shaped split LED taillamps, the car rides on 16-inch alloys.

Inside, the car gets a cabin in line with Skoda’s European cars. The instrument panel is fully digital and measures 8-inches, while the 10-inch infotainment display is in the centre, with rectangular aircon vents below it, the driver and co-driver aircon vents are a contrast circular shape. There's climate control, ventilated front seats, wireless charger, rear-aircon vents, sunroof and a boot capacity of 521 litres. Safety-wise the Skoda Slavia gets 6-airbags, ABS with EBS, ESC, ISOFIX mounts, rear parking camera and sensors, hill hold control, rain sensors, TPMS, Multi collision brake and more.

Skoda gives a choice of two turbo-petrol engines, the 1-litre three-cylinder TSI that makes 115bhp and 175Nm of torque, available with both 6-speed manual and automatic options. The other is a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder TSI making 150bhp and 250Nm of torque, available with either a 6-speed manual or 7-speed DSG.

Prices for the Skoda Slavia will be revealed post its official launch in March 2022. It is expected to fall between Rs 10-16 lakh (ex-showroom), and will directly rival Honda City, Hyundai Verna and Maruti Suzuki Ciaz.

Zac Hollis, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India, said, “The Slavia is an all-new value luxury sedan for India, specially developed and meticulously designed considering the requirements and expectations of our customers. In times where interest for crossovers and SUVs is high, the Slavia is a measure of Skoda Auto’s confidence that it is the product and not the category or body shape that will drive customer demand. We have already clocked in substantial growth over the last year and are rapidly expanding our network and customer touchpoints to bring more customers into the Skoda family. ”