2022 Skoda Slavia production starts

Skoda has begun manufacture of the Slavia at its facility in Chakan, Maharashtra, following its global unveiling in November 2021. The Skoda Slavia will be the third vehicle to be released as part of Skoda-India VW’s 2.0 project, which began with the Kushaq and Taigun SUVs.

The Slavia will be the first all-new midsize sedan in the market in over a year and a half, following the release of the fifth-generation Honda City in June 2020. While SUVs have decreased the sedan market in India, the Slavia will provide a fresh new option for those who remain interested.

• Available in three trims: Active, Ambition and Style

• Will be powered by 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engines

• Price announcement expected by March this year

Exterior & Interior

The Slavia has a Skoda design that is similar to that of the larger Octavia and Superb. It has a wide, powerful stance, and its grille and front and rear bumpers are adorned with a generous amount of chrome. The Slavia will be the widest sedan in its class, which should benefit the interior space. The Slavia’s design highlights include smart-looking LED headlights and tail lamps with Skoda’s characteristic crystalline detailing, sleek and crisp character lines, and 16-inch dual-tone alloy wheels. The dashboard has a beautiful layered feel with fake wood accents, piano black panels, and a dual-tone black and beige theme on the inside, with a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system taking centre stage. Like the Kushaq, it also has a touch-based climate control panel. The cabin features a two-spoke steering wheel similar to other Skoda vehicles, as well as a completely digital instrument cluster with ‘Skoda’ imprinted on the centre console.

Engine

The Slavia will be available with two turbo-petrol engines, comparable to the Kushaq. The first is a 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine with 115 horsepower and 175 Nm of peak torque. A 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with 150 horsepower and 250 Nm of peak torque is also available. Both engines will come with a 6-speed manual transmission. A 6-speed torque converter is available for the 1.0-litre engine, and a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox (DSG) is available for the 1.5-litre engine.

Price

Skoda plans to price the next Skoda Slavia aggressively, only a bit above the Skoda Rapid’s current ex-showroom pricing.