All You Need To Know About Skoda’s Future Plans For India! Slavia And Kushaq Facelift Around The Corner? Octavia RS Incoming!

We got a chance to interact with Skoda’s new Brand Director, Ashish Gupta, at a roundtable. In this report, we give you a closer look at Skoda’s future in India and its upcoming car launches. Stay till the end to know about the brand’s upcoming hot sedan that will soon capture the hearts of all the enthusiasts out there! 

Skoda Slavia And Kushaq Facelift!

While some expected a model year update at most, Ashish Gupta confirmed “major facelifts” for both the Kushaq and Slavia. Staying tight-lipped on launch timelines, he confirmed they’ll be arriving “soon”.  The Kushaq and Slavia are new monikers for Skoda in India, and went on sale in 2021 and 2022, respectively. 

The facelifted models of the Kushaq and Slavia will feature updated exterior styling and a revamped interior. There have been talks of the Kushaq moving up in size as well but those will likely hold true of the new generation car and not this facelift. One can expect both cars to get new features such as a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, a premium audio system, a 360-degree camera, ADAS and an electronic parking brake. 

In terms of powertrain, expect both cars to retain the same 1-litre turbo-petrol and 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engines. 

The facelift will help keep the Slavia and Kushaq relevant among the new cars in the same price range. Moreover, it will also help the Kushaq stand out from the Kylaq, which currently comes with all the features that its larger and more expensive sibling gets. 

Are Diesels Coming Back?

Here, we have both good and bad news. The good news is Ashish Gupta confirms diesels are not off the table, and might be introduced at the right time, depending on market demand and Skoda’s internal feasibility.. The bad news is that we don’t have a timeline as to when we might get a diesel. Earlier, there were talks about the diesel being reintroduced with the Superb. 

Diesels were once a common sight with Skoda cars, but later had to be discontinued due to the emission norms and associated costs in keeping them regulation compliant.. While we don’t know if and when the diesels are coming back, we can still stay positive about an introduction. 

A Skoda CNG? 

When asked about the addition of a CNG powertrain to the Skoda lineup, he mentioned that CNGs are definitely on the table, but not at this stage. Furthermore, he called it an “interesting proposition” and said that the brand is evaluating the compatibility of CNG kits with their turbo petrol engines. 

The inclusion of a CNG powertrain in an entry-level SUV like the Kylaq would make complete sense because most of its rivals offer the more eco-friendly fuel-option, and the demand for CNG has significantly grown in the market. Save for the Nexon CNG, there are no CNG options with a turbo-petrol engine, so Skoda could have an early mover advantage here as well. Moreover, the turbo-petrol engine of the Kylaq is not the most fuel-efficient in the segment, and the option of a CNG powertrain might attract buyers who like the Kylaq but want better running costs.. 

New Variants For The Kylaq…

When asked about the introduction of a new variant between the entry-level trim and the one-above-base variant, the Brand Director hinted that there is definitely a possibility of a new variant coming. However, he also mentioned that there are several processes that need to be addressed to bring the new variant, and that a minimum time period of 6-9 months is required for the introduction of any new variant, including the time for its homologation.. 

We have seen great demand for the Kylaq’s base variant, and the introduction of a new variant with more features at a similar price could be important for the Kylaq’s success. Let’s keep in mind that the Kylaq is an SUV that many people would buy for the engine and the SUV’s ride and handling, and that remains standard across the variants. Moreover, Skoda would also look to bring in an automatic transmission with the new variant, thereby making its automatic gearbox more attractive too. 

Octavia RS

Is it the real deal? We think it is as Skoda’s official presentation showed a “global iconic car” under covers as part of its product portfolio evolution! It has been confirmed that the Octavia RS will be coming to India in 2025 itself and will be brought in as a CBU. Just like the previous versions of the Octy RS, this too will be the ultimate performance sedan for many enthusiasts, while also being family-friendly due to its spacious rear seat and large boot. With the Octavia RS, one can expect a sporty design, a premium interior, and breathtaking performance.

The Octavia RS will come with a 2-litre turbo-petrol engine, which makes an impressive 265 PS and 370 Nm. It sprints from 0-100 kmph in just 6.4 seconds and has a top speed of 250 kmph. The Octy even has endless modification possibilities, and is a popular car in the tuning community. 

ZigSays…

Skoda has always been an iconic brand in India, mainly due to its popular nameplates like the Octavia, Superb and even the Kodiaq, for that matter. The brand provides a premium experience, and now with the Kylaq, it provides an entry-level SUV that offers European DNA. We all want Skoda to do well in India, and it's good to see the efforts that the brand is taking to strengthen its portfolio and lineup in India. 

While we appreciate SUVs like the Kylaq and Kushaq, we would love to see Skoda bring back its iconic sedans like the Superb and Octavia. Which Skoda car is your favourite? Let us know in the comments section.