Skoda India's clever new product range
Just as the Indian auto industry slowly starts to bring things back to normalcy, Skoda India has taken a decisive lead in this revival. This also coincides with the Czech firm's push to attain its goal of one lakh sales in the Indian market by 2025. This is being called the India 2.0 initiative that will see a slew of new products, new technologies, seamless
ownership experience and a heavily digitised approach to the customer.
In the first such event for Skoda in India, the company revealed an unprecedented three new cars. The first of these was the Skoda Rapid TSI, prices of which start at a competitive Rs 7.49 lakh. This package's immense value is taken up a notch with its 18.97kmpl fuel economy. To make things even better, power outputs have increased with the new 1.0- litre TSI motor's 110PS and 175Nm. The new engine and the wide range of variants, right from the value-focused Rider to the feature-rich Monte Carlo trim, means that there will be a Rapid for every need.
The next is the new Skoda Superb. The flagship luxury car is now fitted with the advanced 2.0-litre TSI motor. This has boosted power to 190PS and torque to 320Nm. The exterior changes like the new LED headlights, wider grille and reworked rear styling, have made the Superb even more opulent. This carries over inside as well with the plush piano black and beige trim, along with a raft of features befitting of the well-revered Superb name. The Sportline trim (Rs 29.99 lakh) is aimed at enthusiasts with its sportier look and competitive price while the Laurin & Klement (Rs 32.99 lakh) version take luxury up a notch. This new model also closes the gap to other premium models, and is
well-priced, without losing out on its value proposition.
Finally, the third and most exciting new product from Skoda is the new Karoq SUV. The Karoq is a premium SUV with European build quality, finished in premium-feeling soft-touch materials inside. It offers class-leading space for a perfect family car â€" both for the cabin and the boot. It comes with LED lighting all around, segment-leading interior space, and features like stone beige upholstery, ambient lighting, panoramic sunroof, 8-inch infotainment and virtual cockpit. To top things off, the Karoq also sets a segment benchmark with its full range of passive and active safety features, including a segment-leading nine airbags. With this packaging and price, the Karoq is a premium value luxury proposition in the segment.
Powering the Karoq is another new 1.5-litre TSI motor, with 150PS and 250Nm. Uniquely, this TSI motor also comes with a cylinder deactivation function, a first-in-class feature helping to improve fuel efficiency even further. This takes Skoda's already segment-defining TSI engines, with their mix of potent performance, linear power delivery
and efficiency, up a notch.
The Superb and Karoq are also fitted to the brim with Skoda's 'Simply Clever' features. There are large storage compartments, massive boot space, umbrella holders and even a rear-seat nap package for the Superb.
Skoda has pioneered the digital sales trend with the Octavia RS 245. In keeping with current challenges, all new Skoda cars can now be booked and purchased online. Fully contactless sales and service experience have been put in place too. The company is also set to increase its footprint to 200 touchpoints in 150 cities by 2025, up from the current 80 touchpoints in 65 cities.
Also, it is now easier than ever to buy a new Skoda, thanks to the slew of new financial benefits on offer. The 'EasyBuy' program offers an assured buyback value of 57 per cent on the new Superb range. There's also the 'Buy Now, Pay in Diwali' initiative, a 6-month EMI holiday programme offered exclusively on the new Rapid. Further, leasing options are available as is a 100 per cent financing option on ex-showroom prices, at a competitive 8.99 per cent interest rate.
The Skoda brand celebrates its 125th anniversary this year. In this time, it has made its name as one of the foremost car brands in the world, synonymous with quality and luxury. These new launches have these traits deeply ingrained in them and are set to take the legacy of the Skoda name even further.
All price are ex-showroom India