Latest News & Reviews from Indian Auto Industry
The first electrified Skoda has been revealed ahead of its Shanghai debut. Yes we are talking about the all electric Skoda Vision E concept. The production version of the Vision E concept is expected to be launched in 2020 with a different name.
Continue reading “Skoda Reveals Vision E concept Ahead Of Shanghai Debut”
Just a few days back Skoda had revealed the feature list for the upcoming Octavia Onyx edition and now it has launched the car at Rs.22.61 lakhs. The car will be available in both petrol and diesel variants where the petrol version will cost Rs.22.61 lakhs and the diesel variant will come at Rs.24.31 lakhs.
Continue reading “Skoda introduces Skoda Octavia Onyx edition at Rs 22.61 lakhs”
Czech automaker Skoda Auto is going to launch limited black edition Octavia in India by next week and it would be priced Rs.15,000-Rs 20,000 more than the current top-end variant of Octavia. This new edition will be introduced only on the top variants (both petrol and diesel), and on the DSG variants. The company has teased the car in its Instagram account.
Continue reading “India-spec Skoda Octavia Black edition details revealed”
A number of new SUV models are in the making from Skoda, which are to be revealed in the coming year. This includes the five and seven-seater crossover models which will go on to showrooms by early 2017.
The new SUV from Skoda, which is yet to be named, has now been finalised. It is to be 4.7m long and will have slim rectangular headlights, a clamshell bonnet, sharp horizontal crease before the window light as well as LED daytime running lights along with indicators.
As per sources, cabin space on the new models is to be at par with the Skoda Superb and the boot space too will be quite substantial and could by increased further by moving the rear seats ahead by around 17cm.
A sporty five-door model is also being considered by the company which would sit on the same wheelbase but would see about 12cm less in terms of overhang as compared to the regular model.
The car will come with features such as compressed rear packaging as well as a rakish roofline and is likely to follow up once the reaction to its regular SUV has been gauged. The Skoda coupe –SUV may also see production in China.
While the regular SUV from Skoda is to make its debut in the latter half of 2016, the next gen Yeti is set to follow it in 2018 after featuring some tune ups to fit in with the family looks of the SUV.
Skoda India will be changing the name of the Elegance line up of its cars, which will now be called Style across their range. The company is also going to revamp the list of equipment in this model.
The new Style model though will not see any mechanical changes with the engine being the same as the one that was offered with the erstwhile Elegance.
Previously, the Skoda Rapid was made available in four models – Ambition, Active, Elegance plus and Elegance. Now this Elegance edition will be called the Style and will see the addition of a parktronic sensor on the car.
The Elegance Plus too is now to be rechristened as the Style Plus and will be seen with the black package. The other cars from Skoda, that is the Superb and Octavia will also see the renaming.
The Elegance was formerly the top end model that Skoda offered between the Ambience, Active and Elegance. What this change in terminology has helped the company do is that it is likely to hike prices nominally with the addition of the features as cover as well.
Skoda has not been doing too well lately with many new entrants into the market and is looking to revamp its models in order to meet customer demands and expectations. This is part of a series of measures that the company seems to be taking in order to push sales and the success of this will determine how much more of these steps will be taken in the coming times.
A new update has been launched by Skoda for the Rapid and this is likely to cause waves in the segment making the car more popular than ever before. The car gets new features across its entire range and this will be keenly looked at by Skoda lovers and car enthusiasts alike.
Dual airbags have now been made standard across the range and the entry level edition now comes with electric adjustments for the wing mirrors as well. There are electrically foldable mirrors for the mid-level model while the end variant gets an auto dimming interior rear view mirror, rain sensing wipers as well as a cooled glove box. The editions have been named Active, Ambition and Style respectively with the Elegance edition being replaced. Not only this, a new carbon steel colour choice has also been added for the new updated Rapid.
The best news though is that in spite of all the additions, Skoda Rapid prices will continue to be the same. This comes as part of the brands marketing strategy as it is looking to get more and more sales not only through advertising, but by qualitatively adding new features as well. Skoda has always been a favourite among Indian customers, but newer entrants into the luxury sedan segment have hurt the company a bit. With a revving up of its line up and a slew of updates, Skoda seems to be taking on all challengers and making a great job of doing it as well.
One cannot take the eyes away from it. The first spy-shots from Czech Republic of Skoda Rapid Spaceback Scout really took us back. At the first stance, one needs to look over the car to know well it is proportionate to estate version. And to our excitement, the designers had done a commendable job to justify it fairly in every inch.
Scout as an off-road version of the standard models from Skoda, for example what Hyundai i20 Active is to i20 Elite and Etios Cross to Etios of Toyota, the Rapid estate in Scout trim is appropriately ready. The Czech-based carmaker almost seems up to the mark to make it available at an international auto show debut followed by the launch soon. The plastic cladding all-around, blackened headlamps & fog lamps, and blackened wheels are some cues that differentiate it from the standard version. Those amendments are mandatory for anyone to go with the Scout nameplate.
Thus, the show at Frankfurt 2015 will wow every buyer who just wants to add a fair bit of casualness to the estate with the raised ground clearance. A mix of petrol and diesel engines will trail this new model of Skoda.
Hence, it’s quite early to talk about the details. But one can expect more beans spilling out soon.
Image Courtesy: autoforum.cz
Finally, Skoda Auto India Private Limited realized an underlying strength to sell its cars – finance scheme. Those interested in buying Skoda, here is a good news for them. The Czech based carmaker is offering attractive finance schemes to buyers in India. One can avail the benefits on cars like Rapid, Yeti and Superb.
As per the official letter from carmaker, Finance wing of the company is offering EMI Holiday scheme which is applicable to Rapid and Superb. Buyers opting it will pay EMI up to seven years (84 months), where they will pay EMI of Re 1 for first six months.
And those interested in short term finances, loan is offered at 7.99% across Rapid and Superb range for up to five years. One can also avail the Extended Warranty (2+2) and Assistance program (2+2) as added option with 7.99% interest rate on Rapid.
For Yeti SUV, buyers are entitled 7% interest, with no other benefits offered, which the company thinks is enough to sell it across India. And this is only for 4×2 variant up to five years.
Hence, the aforementioned offers are available on floor till June 30, 2015, and are applicable only when one manages the loan via Skoda Finance, across all dealerships of India.
Obvious with the Skoda’s face, there is nothing new on offer from this Czech-based carmaker in the pipeline. The only fresh excitement that came to the desk is this Snowman, which is nothing more than the Yeti planted by spacious cabin and more seating options.
A test mule is found doing test rounds uncovered where one can easily speculate the seating capacity of seven people.
Apparently, there aren’t many reports to fall upon, but since all new Skodas are using the MQB platform underneath, it too will ride an extended version of the same.
Hence, just like other details, engine options are under the cover. But major sources of industry have said the Snowman to use petrol and diesel engine options with power ranging from 140-184PS. Front-wheel is standard but an all-wheel trim will make way as optional.
Image Courtesy: World Car Fans
Skoda India finally got something new to say. Apart from the facelifts and the new platform called MQB, there wasn’t anything interesting to see at the Skoda’s platform of India. Now, some exciting news is on the verge of hitting the floor. As reported, the maker is planning to roll out its used car business soon in the country. Some pilot projects are on the list, said an official from Skoda.
Under the pretext of parent group Volkswagen, Das WeltAuto internationally sells the cars of in pre-owned section. In India, the carmaker is still deciding to finalize a project.
Apparently, the Skoda India must have got kicked by the rising demand of cars from pre-owned section to begin its own venture. Specifically, this Czech based carmaker sold 15,500 vehicles in 2014 but aims for the 17,000 to 17,500 vehicles in 2015. Referring to it, the official of Skoda India said numbers isn’t too high for the brand to achieve this year, approximately closer to 10% growth. It’s the carmaker who doesn’t wish to rejig the portfolio to come out of the situation. Instead, the officials stated, carmaker holds products of every cadre in the country starting from Skoda Rapid at Rs 7.5 lakh (ex showroom Delhi) shooting up to Rs 22-23 lakh, where three sedans and a SUV falls in the lineup. Skoda Rapid constitutes 60-70 per cent of the Skoda cars sold in India.
