Slavia is Skoda’s big bet on the sedan segment

While the Slavia is available in eight totally different variants, it is the base mannequin that begins at round Rs 10.7 lakh that is more than likely to take a chew out of the market share of its rivals, says Pavan Lall.

All images: Kind courtesy SKODA/Facebook

For the finest a part of virtually a decade now, the premium sedan segment has been languishing for a number of causes.

There have been too few launches and too few choices in it for patrons.

One is that the SUV segment has been doing gangbuster enterprise with each automaker new and outdated launches that embrace the Kia Seltos and Sonet, Mahindra & Mahindra’s XUV 700 and scores of others.

Today, sedans are few and much between and the key ones embrace the Hyundai Verna, the Honda City, and the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz.

The top-end automobiles similar to the Honda Accord have been withdrawn from the market on account of gradual gross sales and different OEMs similar to Chevrolet, who launched the Cruze, have since left the nation.

This makes the entry of the Skoda Slavia into this segment a telling assertion.

Skoda has its personal chequered historical past in India, which began with robust recognition a pair a long time in the past and went on to take a backseat of types when Volkswagen got here into the scene, different car-makers launched right here, and its high-maintenance prices grew to become a sticking level regardless of its well-built, sturdy and high-powered automobiles that featured competent diesel engines.

Since then, the firm has refocused its efforts on the model rolling out compact sedans similar to the Skoda Rapid and aimed to decrease the value of possession for shoppers.

The Slavia is, then, the firm’s big bet on making a sedan that can drive larger volumes at a extra reasonably priced value than ever earlier than for a Skoda and most significantly take on incumbents like the Verna and the City.

At first look, the Slavia is a wise and well-designed sedan with sturdy traces and a big cabin.

It appears to be like and feels each bit a Skoda with its European accents, high-grade inside fittings and peppy engine.

Skoda says that its cabin area is the widest in its segment and whereas that hasn’t been independently verified it actually feels massive.

The boot area is additionally big, with a capability of 521 litres.

Seating is agency and comfy and when fired up the Slavia hums to life with confidence and aplomb, rolling up the tarmac stridently.

A degree to notice right here is that it does really feel significantly lighter than the Skoda sedans of outdated, which signifies a measure of lightweighting that presumably has been configured to each cut back value and improve gasoline effectivity.

The 1.5 TSI automated which I drove was responsive, appropriately powered for the dimension, and the weight of the automotive and the 7-speed twin clutch automated DSG made for climbing up and down the gears whereas driving easy and well-spaced.

For drivers who need extra management, the steering mounted paddles allow you to keep longer in every gear.

On the street, at gradual and quick speeds, the Slavia feels competent, assured and handles bumps and tough terrain remarkably effectively for a sedan.

It additionally feels simpler to manoeuvre and deal with than the older Skodas, which had been heavier.

Seating in the rear presents ample legroom and is cozy with practical compartments and fittings, making this a powerful and extra price-efficient company government sedan versus the bigger Skoda Superb.

While the Slavia is available in eight totally different variants, it is the base mannequin that begins at round Rs 10.7 lakh that is more than likely to take a chew out of the market share of its rivals.

The high vary prices round Rs 17.79 lakh.

The backside line? This is a well-built robust Czech sedan that is been constructed for the Indian buyer at a value that may make self-drive lovers glad as a result of they get an thrilling automotive, top-of-the-line interiors, nice engineering and a great deal of area.

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com