Rejoice! Octy vRS is coming!
Hot Octavia headlines four new cars and a massive service-related overhaul for the Czech brand
217bhp From a 2- litre turbocharged petrol, combined with 350Nm of torque 6.8sec Very quick for the segment, even a segment higher
SKODA IS PLANNING A revamp in India and it starts off with the car that made enthusiasts sit up and take notice of the brand, the Octavia vRS. In its latest avatar, it sure promises to be a firecracker of a car, and is sure to re-energize the brand for the new model onslaught. Here's what Skoda has in store for India.
Octavia vRS & Black Edition
The Octavia vRS is expected to be launched in India early next year. The meaner, faster, enthusiast-friendly variant will be powered by a 2-litre turbocharged petrol engine that makes 217bhp and 350Nm of torque. That's 40bhp and 100Nm more than the current 1.8-litre Octy and will be able to crack 100kmph in just 6.8 seconds and max out at 250kmph.
To make it stand out, the exteriors will get a 'blackened' look overall with smoked headlamps and tail lamps, blackened grille with the vRS logo, black-themed interiors with red stitching on the steering and the seats, a rear spoiler, rehashed bumper with larger air inlets, DRL strip and chrome tipped exhausts.
To improve dynamics, the antiroll bar is beefed up and it gets the multi-link rear suspension from the 1.8-litre petrol TSI variant. The saloon sits 15mm lower to improve aerodynamics and reduce body roll. There will be four driving modes to choose from — Eco, Sport, Normal and Individual.
With a price tag nudging 30 lakh we do not expect it to sell in huge numbers, but it will definitely pull at the heartstrings of every enthusiast. After all, the very first Octavia vRS is still fondly recollected by enthusiasts; it was the first turbocharged petrol in the country and even today the Indian market is limited to very few of that kind. When launched, the saloon will actually have no competition.
Also on the cards is a 'Black Edition'. As the name suggests, it will come with all things black such as the roof, grille, pianoblack finished dashboard along with 17-inch black Teron wheels. Mechanicals will not be tinkered with, whatsoever, and it will be offered with both petrol and diesel powerplants.
Kodiaq
The naming convention carries over from the Yeti; the Kodiaq is named after a grizzly Alaskan bear, the largest of its kind after the Polar bear. Staying true to its name, the 4.7-metre long SUV will be one of the largest in its segment, marginally longer than the Hyundai Santa Fe and will directly compete with it.
Retaining several design cues from the Vision S concept, Kodiaq follows the ‘emotional’ design theme which will be incorporated in all future Skoda cars. The ‘butterfly’ grille and the headlamps resemble the Superb, only sleeker.
The Kodiaq will get three rows of seats and Skoda claims that the third row occupants will get as much headroom as the second one. On the inside, two large 16inch infotainment touchscreens will be housed next to the AC vents along with gesture-based controls throughout. The Kodiaq then is going to have one of the most hightech cabins.
Expected to be powered by the same 1.8-litre petrol and 2-litre powertrains that have been doing duty in the Octavia, the production version of the Kodiaq will be revealed on September 1 in Berlin.
Ameo based compact sedan
The Rapid is based on the Vento so it is only natural that VW's new compact sedan, the first car that has been developed solely for India by the mighty VW Group, will also have a Skoda cousin. Skoda's Ameo will have changes to the headlamps, taillamps, grille and badges, nothing more and will get the same 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder petrol and the 1.5-litre diesel that is currently undergoing upgradation which is why the Ameo is yet to get it.
Rapid Monte Carlo and facelift
The Rapid will be given a mid-life facelift and an additional Monte Carlo package will be offered as a sporty addition to the saloon's line-up. Again, a black theme will be carried over while on the inside, sport pedals will be added along with black seats that get red stitching and ‘Monte Carlo’ embossed door sills.
The Kodiaq is named after a grizzly Alaskan bear, one of the largest of its kind