Škoda India have teased their new car, which is called the Slavia. Škoda has named the car after the company’s very first product, a bicycle named the L&K Slavia which was sold from 1895-1905, and carried the names of the company’s founders, i.e. Václav Laurin and Václav Klement. That’s exactly where we get the L&K variants of their cars.
Škoda has emphasised that the car will take heavy inspiration from both Indian and Czech culture, and will show the close ties between the two cultures. The car will be quite similar to it’s cousin, the VW Virtus as well. As far as we know, this one will supposedly sit alongside the Rapid and not replace it, at least during the early stages. Something like the Grand i10 and Grand i10 NiOS by Hyundai.
As for the car, we can expect similarities between it and the Virtus. Hence, we can assume for the car to be lobger than the current Rapid, with the wheelbase also being longer. The car will be built on the localized MQB-A0-IN platform, and could share exterior details with the Virtus.
The engines offered will likely be the same ones as in the Kushaq, with 1.0L and 1.5L petrol engines leading the way. As the Kushaq gets both manual and auto transmission, we can expect the Slavia to have the same as well!
It’s likely the interior will also be spruced up with tech, with the latest infotainment system and interior features. Škoda has also said that the car will compliment the Octavia and Superb, as it slots in below both. As for competitors, the same models that were competitors for the Rapid will continue to be so, namely the City, Verna and the Ciaz along with the Rapid and the upcoming VW Virtus.
It’s an exciting prospect to see a company bring in a saloon at a time every other carmaker in the world is pushing for an SUV. It’ll be fascinating to see how it all pans out for Skoda. Let’s just wait a bit longer for the official reveal, can’t wait!
