Skoda has officially released a new camouflaged picture of the much-awaited Skoda Slavia sedan. Scheduled to be unveiled later this year, the new Slavia sedan will rival the likes of the Honda City and the Hyundai Verna. It the brand’s second model under the Volkswagen Group’s India Plan 2.0, which brings in fresh investment and product line-up.
Set to replace the Rapid sedan, the new Skoda Slavia will be based on the Volkswagen Group’s heavily localised MQB AO IN platform. This platform is versatile enough to accommodate different body styles and engine options. As a reminder, the newly launched Skoda Kushaq and the Volkswagen Taigun SUVs are designed and developed on this platform. In fact, the upcoming Volkswagen mid-sized sedan, rumoured to be called the Virtus, will also be based on this architecture.
The new Skoda Slavia is reportedly to measure around 4.5 meters in length, which makes it significantly longer than the current generation Rapid measuring 4,413mm. It will have a segment-largest wheelbase of 2,651mm, which should help Skoda to liberate more space inside the cabin. The teaser also suggest that the new sedan will be wider and taller than the outgoing model. Thanks to long wheelbase, the new Slavia should offer a boot space of more than 500-litres.
The new Skoda Slavia sedan will carry a notchback-like styling. It will get the signature butterfly grille with chrome surround, sharp LED headlamps with LED DRLs, distinct character lines, a sloping roofline, LED tail-lights and diamond-cut alloys.
It is likely to source the interior with the Kushaq mid-sized SUV. It will get a large 10.1-inch ‘Play’ touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support. The sedan will be equipped with several high-end features such as touch AC controls, ‘My Skoda’ connected car tech, a digital instrument console, ventilated seats, leatherette upholstery, six-speaker audio system, etc. The sedan will come with a factory-fitted electric sunroof, automatic headlamps, automatic wipers and many more.
The Skoda Slavia is likely to be offered with two engine options – a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol and a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol. While the former is good for 113bhp and 175Nm of torque, the later offers 147bhp of power and 250Nm of torque. Transmission choices will include a 6-speed manual, a 6-speed torque convertor automatic with 1.0L petrol and a 7-speed DSG with 1.5L petrol.
While Slavia debut will take place in the end of 2021, the launch is expected in the first quarter of 2022. Expected to be priced around Rs 9 lakh to Rs 15 lakh, the new Skoda Slavia will rival the Hyundai Verna, Honda City and the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz.
