Skoda Auto India has officially commenced the series production of its upcoming compact sedan, the Skoda Slavia. Slated to be launched in March 2022, the new Slavia is the second model to be based on the company’s localised MQB A0-IN platform, which also underpins the Skoda Kusahq compact SUV. The Slavia will be manufactured at Skoda Auto Volkswagen India’s plant in Chakan, Maharashtra, and the car will come with 95 per cent localisation. Skoda says that the Slavia has been developed with a focus on the Indian market.
Commenting on the development, Christian Cahn von Seelen, Chairman of Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited, said, “Today, with the production rollout of the Skoda Slavia, we are igniting the next stage of our INDIA 2.0 product campaign. The Slavia is a strong testament of our intent and capability in the Indian market. The Slavia will not only provide a boost to the premium sedan segment but will also showcase Skoda Auto’s expertise, pedigree and legacy with sedans in terms of design, packaging, dynamics, technology and value.”
Visually, it comes with Skoda’s signature butterfly grille with vertical slats and thick chrome borders, LED headlamps with LED DRLs, and sporty multi-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels
The Skoda Slavia is a 5-door sedan that comes with a coupe-like roofline. The car measures 4,541 mm in length, 1,752 mm in width, and 1,487 mm in height, plus it comes with a best-in-class wheelbase of 2,651 mm. Visually, it comes with Skoda’s signature butterfly grille with vertical slats and thick chrome borders, LED headlamps with LED DRLs, and sporty multi-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels. The car also gets an aggressive-looking bumper with a wide mesh-pattern grille for the airdam. At the rear, the Slavia gets signature C-shaped LED taillamps which are divided into two parts, and further extend into the boot lid.
The Skoda Slavia comes with a 10-inch infotainment display, along with the new signature two-spoke multi-functional steering wheel
Inside, the Slavia gets a newly designed cabin with round air vents, a horizontal decorative trim strip in a contrasting colour, and embossed wordmarks on the binnacle. The car also comes with a 10-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with the new signature two-spoke multi-functional steering wheel, and a fully digital 8-inch instrument cluster. The car also gets ventilated front seats, wireless charger, auto day/night IRVM, touch-control Climatronic with Air Care function, rear AC vents and more. The infotainment system will be offered as standard, and the top-end Style trim will also get MySKODA Connect mobile online services. As for safety, the car gets up to 6 airbags, ABS with EBS, ESC, ISOFIX mounts, rear parking camera and sensors, and more.
The Slavia will be offered in three variants – Active, Ambition and Style, and it will come with two engine options – 1.0-litre TSI three-cylinder engine and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder TSI unit. The former makes 113 bhp and 175 Nm of peak torque, and it comes mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox and an optional 6-speed automatic torque converter. The bigger 1.5-litre motor makes 148 bhp and 250 Nm of peak torque and comes mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox and a 7-speed DSG automatic unit. The 1.0-litre is expected to be offered in all three variants, while the 1.5 TSI will only come with the Style trim.