The Virtual Cockpit has been offered across VW's and Audi's range for a while now, and has also recently been introduced on select Seat and Cupra models. It's now available on the Skoda Octavia, Superb and Karoq, and will be added to the Kodiaq range later this year.
Priced at £450 (Rs 43,572), the system looks similar to that found on other VW Group models. It features a large, high-definition TFT screen with a customisable layout and 3D graphics in place of the traditional analogue dials. The system allows users to prioritise the instruments over the sat-nav map or vice versa, with entertainment, trip and driving assist information screens also customisable. Controls mounted on the steering wheel allow you to switch between different displays and zoom into the map.
The Virtual Cockpit can be specified on Octavia and Superb models from the SE spec and above, and from SE L spec and above on Karoq and Kodiaq models. For the Kodiaq, specifying it on SE Land Scout models costs £550 (Rs 53,263), instead of the £450 price for other trim levels in the range.
The system is unlikely to be added to lesser models in Skoda's range, such as the Rapid, Fabia and Citigo because those cars use an older platform and dashboard design. Cost reasons also rule out these cheaper models from benefitting from the tech.
The new Skoda SUV for India that will rival the Hyundai Creta is likely to have this technology, at least in the top-spec variant. The model is expected to launch in India sometime in 2020 and will be based on the soon-to-be-unveiled Volkswagen T-Cross SUV destined for emerging markets.
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