It is no secret that Skoda is readying an all-new mid-sized sedan for the Indian market. The new sedan is speculated to be launched as the next-gen Rapid sedan; however, Skoda Auto India’s Director for sales, service and marketing, Zac Hollis confirmed that the new Rapid won’t be launched in India. He further confirmed that the company is developing an all-new, larger sedan for our market.
Skoda will introduce a larger sedan based on the MQB AO IN platform by the end of 2021. It is expected that the new model could sit alongside the new larger sedan. This is the same strategy adopted by Honda Cars India, which is currently selling the previous as well as new City. The new-gen Honda City is significantly larger than the previous model. In fact, it is the longest and the widest in the category.
The new sedan will share styling cues from the Skoda Vision IN Concept, which previews the brand’s new design language for India. The new model will have a notchback-like styling. It will be positioned against the likes of the Honda City, Hyundai Verna and the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz. The sedan is likely to share styling cues from the new Superb sedan. It will have balanced proportions, sharp edges and vibrant design elements. The sedan will have hexagonal radiator grille and new arrow-shaped headlamps, which shows the brand’s new design language.
The new Skoda sedan will be powered by the VW Group’s new TSI Petrol engines. It is likely to be offered with two engine options – a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder turbo and a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbo. While the former is good for 108bhp and 175Nm of torque, the 1.5L unit produces 147bhp and 250Nm of torque. The 1.0L engine will be offered with a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed torque convertor automatic gearbox. On the other hand, the 1.5L unit will use the 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox.
Skoda will introduce the new Vision IN concept based mid-sized SUV in the first half of 2021. The production version of the SUV will be unveiled in January-February. It will be positioned against the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos and the Nissan Kicks. Adding to it, the company will launch the new Octavia and the Kodiaq facelift in the country.
