The future for Skoda seems bright in India with the company looking forward to another decade of rapid growth. Skoda has planned the introduction of an all-new range of models. The Czech carmaker intends to add more emotion to its design without compromising on practicality.
The upcoming Skoda Rapid, which will compete with the VW Vento, will be priced marginally cheaper, yet superbly built, if not as well equipped and will be more spacious. Skoda also plans to exploit the niche compact SUV market with different variants of the Skoda Yeti. A cheaper 110bhp version, will be launched later this year and an automatic version with a DSG ’box will come next year. The Laura RS, a sportier version of the current Laura, with a stiffer suspension and body kit but without an engine upgrade is also ready for launch this August
Skoda is also looking to introduce a Rs 4 lakh hatchback and a sub-four-metre saloon that will be based on the VW Up platform and will sit neatly below the Rapid. The company is also planning to bring the Octavia name back with the next-generation Laura, which will rival VW’s Jetta. The next-gen Octavia will be unveiled sometime next year.
FUTURE SKODAS
WHAT? WHEN? | Laura RS August 2011 | Rapid End-2011/January 2012 |
Yeti 110bhp End-2011 | Fabia Scout Early 2012 | Next-gen Octavia End-2012 |
Small hatchback Early 2013 | Sub-4-meter notch Mid-2013 |
© Haymarket SAC Publishing (India) Pvt Ltd, 2011. All rights reserved.
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Dipan Sur
Dhruv Dhaka
