Skoda New: May is all set to witness a snap in the Indian automotive industry with the launch of a brand new model from the Czech car maker, Skoda Auto India.
Dealer networks and industry sources also affirm that the Czech carmaker has completed preparations for the Indian launch of what company execs are referring to as their “most India-focused product ever” – a vehicle developed ground-up to cater to the Indian market’s unique needs and tastes while retaining Skoda’s European engineering DNA.
Skoda New Strategic Market Positioning
Although Skoda has kept its official name plate in wraps for now, the new SUV is expected to slot between the compact SUV Kushaq and the premium sibling Kodiaq in the hyper-competitive mid-size SUV category.
It’s no coincidence it’s placed there, in an attempt to hook a swathe of the car-buying public who want a piece of Skoda’s industry-leading build quality and driving prowess, but at a more affordable price point.
“The new model is born out of our most profound realisation of the Indian consumer yet,” said a senior Skoda executive, on condition of anonymity.
We have amalgamated our European design philosophy and engineering standards with Indian conditions and customer preferences. The overall package is a car that feels true to the Skoda ethos, while being tailored towards Indian roads and user profile.”
This would be very much in line with how Skoda has been developing under its India 2.0 vision and the strategy has reaped some handsome dividends – in the form of the locally developed Kushaq and Slavia for instance.
The imminent take off of AboutYou appears to be set to reinforce this localized orientation and may see the brand lay claim to market share further afield from its typical urban hot spots.
Design: European Flare With An Indian Practicality
Design Sketches and a camouflaged test mules on Indian roads makes it look like a car that definitely has the Skoda’s sharp design DNA but also has local appeal slapped all over it.
Upfront, the signature Skoda twin-slat grille is apparent, and it’s been enlarged in this new car and now it’s more imposing than before and is flanked by crystalline LED headlamps with daytime running lights that create a unique light signature.
The profile is endowed with an upright SUV stance, sculpted character lines, decent ground clearance claimed at 188mm and neatly done 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels settled in good size wheel arches.
The roof rails and plastic cladding on the lower sections of the body reinforce the real SUV vibe and protect the car against debris on less than perfect surfaces (think B-roads if you live in the countryside).
At the back, the horizontally positioned LED tail lights offer a cohesive appearance by being linked by a chrome strap adorned with the Skoda lettering – typical of the brand’s worldwide design language. The tailgate flips down to offer what insiders are describing as ”unparalleled” cargo capacity with smart storage solutions.
Cabin: Premium Materials, Clever Design
And then there’s the inside where the new model is said to bring unparalleled levels of interior quality to its class. The dash is focused on a 10.1-inch free-standing infotainment touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster – moves you just don’t find yet in cars far more expensive.
Material quality seems to have taken some priority, with soft-touch materials on touch points, stitching details for the leatherette upholstery, and metallic trim pieces scattered throughout the cabin to add flavor to the design. Customizable colored ambient lighting sets the mood for after dark excitement.
Most notably for our Indian market is Skoda’s emphasis on the rear passenger comfort – a factor on which many European car makers have lost out to their oriental competition.
Rear bench gets generous legroom, dedicated AC vents with separate blower control, charging ports and adjustable seatbacks to ensure comfort in long drive.
Powertrain Choices: Time to Step Up to More PerformanceAndServe to Select the Best Option Powertrain choices range from efficient to performance oriented
As for drivetrains, the new AT4 will likely offer two that will both balance performance and fuel economy. It’s the usual engine that seems likely, being a 1.0-litre TSI turbocharged petrol with about 115 horsepower and 178 Nm of torque – numbers that should provide lively performance in cities, but keep fuel consumption sensible.
Even more interesting is the 1.5-litre TSI Evo engine with active cylinder management technology, producing 150 hp and 250 Nm torque. This advanced engine also features cylinder deactivation, deactivating two cylinders under light load conditions to enhance fuel economy, yet does not sacrifice high performance at full load.
There are supposed to be two transmissions available – a 6-speed manual is standard, while a 7-speed DSG twin-clutch automatic is optional for upper trims which brings the snappy smooth changes Skoda is famous for.
Drive modes, which are adjusted via a button on the dash, comprise Eco, Normal, Sport and Individual for drivers to customise the vehicle’s response to their liking and the conditions.
Technology: Wired for the Long Haul
It seems like Skoda wants to establish this one as a tech leader in its segment. The MySkoda Connect suite consists of more than 50 connected features, such as vehicle tracking, geofencing, remote climate control and trip analysis, which can be accessed via a dedicated smartphone app.
The infotainment system features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, over-the-air software updates, and voice recognition that responds to natural language commands.
This wireless charging pad with cooling also helps to reduce heat emission caused during charging time making it built to tolerate in longer charging times- a utility best suited for India climate.
Even more impressively, Level 2 ADAS (A dvanced D river A ssistance S ystems) such as adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist and driver attention monitoring are available – these are the types of features traditionally found in the luxury segments but thought highly desirable by safety-conscious buyers at all price points.
Focus on Safety: Above and Beyond the Regulations
On the safety front, it looks like the safety of passengers is given prominence, with six airbags, Electronic Stability Control, hill start assist and tyre pressure monitoring system coming standard, goes beyond regulatory requirements and reflects increased awareness of safety features among Indian customers.
Head on over to the inside and you get a 360-degree camera with dynamic guidelines, which helps to make parking in tight spots a bit more effortless, rear parking sensors and an electronic parking brake with auto hold function which makes it much more usable on a daily basis. The body is said to be constructed of high-strength steel in strategic areas where it is needed most in the event of a crash and to minimize weight.
Skoda New Pricing and Effect on the Market
Official prices will be announced in May but industry analysts expect it to be priced competitively between ₹12-18 lakh (ex-showroom), giving Taiyao’s car a face-off with the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and Volkswagen Taigun.
This pricing would also be demonstrative of Skoda’s sustained commitment to the value-luxury stance that has been its Indian market theme in the recent past – namely, packaging European engineering, design and equipment at price points that these value-laden attributes didn’t ascribe to earlier.
Dealder sources say that there’s already a lot of momentum, with informal waiting lists reportedly being opened at dealerships even though there’s no official pricing or variant bundles as yet – a measure of Skoda’s increasing brand equity in India, and confidence in their product.
As the SUV segment charges as one of the fastest growing on Indian roads, Skoda India’s new launch is set to take on rivals with its unique European design and driving features adapted to meet Indian conditions – making the fierce battle in one of the most battled-armoured segment, even tougher!