Skoda marks its presence in the luxury segment in India with its Octavia and Laura. Skoda Octavia has spelled success ever since it was launched. Laura picked up slowly and still marks a good presence on the Indian roads. A new version of Skoda Laura was also launched, Skoda Laura Ambient also made a quiet entry in to the market subsequently. Although the both the models have marked a subtle presence, nevertheless, both have their unique characteristics that make their owners be proud of their style and elegance. Skoda Laura competes with against Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Camry in its segment.
The Power and the Technology
Skoda Laura is based on the A5 platform that is accompanied with cutting edge technology which tries its best to match the Indian road and driving conditions. It has a 1.9 Pump Dense Technology engine that is known for its low emission which is BS III complaint. This engine also delivers good fuel efficiency. It gains its top speed as 189Kmph. It comes with automatic and tip-tronic transmission that has six forward and one reverse gear.
It has McPherson suspension in the front while the rear wheels have multi-element axle with one longitudinal and three transverse links. It has dual braking system in front and back and comes with power steering.
Inside Out
The exteriors are plush and stylish with extremely elegant look. It is a 4-door 5-seater car and a shining fully galvanised body. Interiors also carry stunning look that are well designed for maximum comfort. The overall design quite resembles with Skoda Octavia. It has a storage capacity of 560 litres that can be extended up to 1350 litres by folding the rear seats.
You can experience the rich upholstery, adjustable driver seats that have memory setting options so that it remembers your preferences. A long wheelbase gives a lot of room to the driver and makes driving the vehicle a real pleasure. It has an illuminated and refrigerated glove compartment with ample storage amenities. It carries all the safety measures that are usually present in any luxury car in the same segment.
Price Factor
The new Skoda Laura can give 11-16 kmph fuel efficiency on the city roads. It is priced at Rs 16-17 lakh in India and is amongst the elite peers in its segment that offers enticing looks clubbed with superb technology. It is available in 5 colours in India to choose from – Storm Blue, Candy White, Black Magic, Diamond Silver and Sahara Beige.
However, smaller changes in style and technology can further enhance the worth of the model. The front vent sometimes makes it difficult to see in front. The tyres still need to be improved upon for Indian road conditions. Moreover, the car still needs further adaptability for Indian driving conditions. The audio system can be still better but on the whole the car is a queen in the luxury segment that is tough enough to give a good competition to Accord, Camry or Sonata.
Satish Kalepu
Skoda Laura is a small luxury sedan that is built on Volkswagen platform, and is very popular in India. It is offered as 4 door estate or 5 door hatchback models. Actually, Skoda Laura is a second generation variant of the original Skoda Octavia. Nevertheless, new models are completely refurbished and are designed after evaluating extensive customer surveys. Therefore, consumers will find ample leg space in rear, and a lot more ground clearance; features which were absent in earlier version.
More Choice
In order to compete in challenging segment, Skoda Laura is available in different engine classes which range from 1.3L I4 to more powerful 2.0L I4 TFSI versions. In diesel variants, Skoda Laura comes with I4 TDI engine type. Both estate and hatchback versions also provide complete flexibility to choose from either 5 speed manual, 6 speed automatic or 7 speed auto DSG transmission. Perhaps, it is among very few cars which are also marketed as 4×4 drive. There are two four wheel drive versions. Both these versions contain Haldex Traction system based on computer controlled clutch centre coupling. These off-road models are well suited to rough road conditions frequently encountered in India. Furthermore, Scout four wheel drive version has an even higher ground clearance. It also has exterior modifications similar to SUV and sports cars.
More Power
In 2010, Skoda Laura is also being offered in 1.2 TSI petrol variant which use turbo fuel stratified injection with 1197 cc 8v DOHC engines that are able to produce 77kw power at 5000rpm. It’s more powerful 2.0 TFSI vRS 1984 cc engine uses 16 valve system. Just a year earlier, Laura underwent significant facelift including improved exterior design and brand new interior. The interior rim, stereo and steering wheel are notable features. Also, these new models have slightly better outlook after modifications to bumpers and headlights. Compared to competitors, the quality is further enhanced by lower price and more interior space.
More Acclaim
Skoda Laura has got rave reviews from almost every major European publication. Top Gear has described it as a masterpiece and dependable, whereas Auto Express has rewarded it with Gold Medal for being the most satisfying car of 2007. In India, Skoda Laura is fast gaining market share from Audi and high-end models of Volkswagen. Recent facelift is bound to add to its charm.
Gurg Sumit Kumar
Skoda, a subsidiary of the international VW Group that is based in Czech Republic has four cars in India. Though the brand is not a global hit, Skoda automobiles in India have seen great success. Skoda aims at producing environment-friendly new cars with high standards of comfort and safety. It has a manufacturing plant based at Shendra, on the outskirts of Aurangabad in the Maharashtra state of India. In this article let’s have a look at the Skoda automobiles in India.
Fabia, a Skoda automobile in India, is loaded with the best-in-class technology and extraordinary comfort. Active, Classic, Ambiente and Elegance are the four variants of this Skoda automobile in India. It comes with a choice of one diesel and 2 petrol motors. An impressive 70 bhp is packed in the 1.4-litre PD TDI Inline-3 diesel motor while 1.4-litre MPI Inline-4 delivers 86 bhp and the 1.2 MPI I4 petrol engine churns out 70 bhp. The Skoda Fabia’s engine is coupled with a 5-speed manual transmission which allows smooth shifting of gears on the humpy bumpy roads in India. Lavish dual-tone interiors add the final streak of luxury.
The Skoda Laura, a leader when Skoda automobiles in India are considered, is a masterpiece of modern styling, outstanding manufacturing quality and ground-breaking engine technology. This Skoda automobile in India comes as three variants: Laurin and Klement, Elegance, and Ambiente. The engine varieties include a 1.8-litre TSI, a 1.9-litre TDI PD, and a 2.0-litre TDI PD. The classy, elegant and comfy interiors draw attention to the chrome-accentuated interior door handles, rich Ivory upholstery, and wood furnishing. This Skoda automobile has made its entry in India with a 12-way electrically adjustable driver seat and plenty of other features.
The Skoda Octavia is a well-built luxury-filled Skoda automobile in India. The car symbolizes the fine blend of quality, ideal designing and fresh technology. This Skoda automobile has made its entry in India as four variants: Ambiente Turbo, Ambiente, Laurin and Klemant, and Elegance 1.9 TDi and these suit the roads of India just right. The Octavia comes with a choice of two engines, a 1.8-litre turbo petrol and a 1.9-litre TDi diesel motor. The engine in all variants is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. Superb, roomy interiors in a mixture of wood and leather give it the looks that make the car so well known in India.
The Superb is one of the four Skoda automobiles in India that offers a 7-Star experience. The car comes in just three variants in India – 1.8 TSI, TDI PD, and V6 FSI 4×4. Making its entry in India in two petrol variants, the 1.8-litre turbocharged and 3.6-litre V6 turbocharged versions, the Superb is certainly a superb car. The diesel variant derives its power from a 2-litre I4 turbocharged motor. The Skoda Superb shows off ivory Nappa leather seats, dual tone Onyx-Ivory interiors, wood design interior décor, 2-way electrically adjustable driver seat with programmable memory and loads of other features for car buyers in India.
Deepthi Alvares