Published On Dec 25, 2021 09:00:00 AM
The Slavia shares its platform, engines and a lot of features with the Kushaq; is expected to be priced between Rs 9 lakh-16 lakh (ex-showroom).
Come 2022, the midsize sedan segment is going to be infused with a fresh lease of life, with what is arguably going to be one of the most important new car launches. The Skoda Slavia, unveiled earlier last month, will come in as a replacement for the now-discontinued Skoda Rapid and is expected to hit the roads next March.
The Slavia will be the first all-new product in the midsize sedan segment in over one-and-a-half-years, after the fifth-generation Honda City was unveiled last June. And while sedans have been massively overpowered by SUVs in India, Skoda hopes that the Slavia has all that it takes to revive this segment. With bookings for the Slavia ongoing at Skoda dealerships or on the company’s website, let’s take a closer look at what’s on offer here.
Skoda Slavia: underpinnings and dimensions
The new Slavia is based on the made-for-India MQB A0 IN platform, which also underpins the Kushaq and the Taigun SUVs, and claims to have a localisation level of up to 95 percent. Like the SUVs, there will also be a VW counterpart that is expected to be unveiled early next year. And while the Slavia is coming in as a replacement to the Rapid, it is significantly bigger and far better equipped too.
Slavia’s 2,651mm wheelbase is longest in class.
The Slavia measures 4,541mm in length, is 1,752mm wide and 1,487mm tall, and has a wheelbase of 2,651mm. Compared to the outgoing Rapid, the new Slavia is 128mm longer, 53mm wider, 21mm taller and has a wheelbase that is 99mm longer. In fact, not only does the Slavia have the longest wheelbase, but it is also the widest in its class with a substantial 521-litre boot, that’s also biggest in class.
Skoda Slavia: exterior design
At first glance, the Slavia is unmistakably a Skoda. Up front, it gets the familiar look of the modern Skoda models like the Octavia and the Superb. The car gets sharp and upmarket-looking headlights with very prominent LED daytime running lights that have a crystalline detailing. In keeping with Indian buyer preferences, Skoda has added a decent amount of chrome on the Slavia’s front, which looks nice, but may not necessarily work for all tastes. The headlights neatly merge into the wide Skoda grille that makes the car look wider than it actually is.
Slavia looks fair bit off the ground; ground clearance could be segment leading.
Moving to the sides, the Slavia gets a prominent beltline that starts at the front fender and runs till the end, with a prominent Skoda badge on the front fender, similar to the Kushaq. Top-spec variants will come with 16-inch alloy wheels, which is great to look at, but don’t quite fill out the wheel arches. Slightly larger wheels on the …….
Source: https://www.autocarindia.com/car-news/skoda-slavia-a-close-look-launch-by-march-2022-423017