Skoda’s Potent 1.5-litre TSI Powertrain Becomes More Accessible By Almost Rs 3 Lakh

• Slavia and Kushaq 1.5-litre TSI engine now available in their mid-spec Ambition trim.

• It was previously exclusive to the top-spec Style trim.

• Trickle-down effect has made the 1.5-litre TSI powertrain more affordable by up to Rs 2.8 lakh. 

• Dual-tone colour combinations also added to the Ambition trim.

• All powertrains now updated in line with the upcoming BSVI phase-2 norms.

Skoda really hit it home with the new products that were birthed on the new MQB-A0-IN platform. But what really struck a cord was the 1.5-litre TSI engine and how it had everyone smitten by its outright performance and refinement. However, getting one meant having to get on a call with your chartered accountant for permission to stretch the budget, seeing as how  it was limited to the top-spec Style variants in both the Slavia and Kushaq. 

As a result, a lot of people had to suppress their thirst and settle for the 1-litre powertrain. But there’s good news now, as Skoda has taken notice of its popularity and introduced the 1.5-litre TSI powertrain in the mid-spec Ambition trim of both the vehicles. Here’s a price breakdown:

Price

With the 1.5-litre MT Ambition variant, the more powerful engine is now more accessible by Rs 2.8 lakh in the Kushaq and Rs 2.06 lakh in the Slavia. As for the automatic variants, the difference between the Style and Ambition trim is Rs 1 lakh and Rs 2.16 lakh for the Kushaq and Slavia, respectively.

So the Ambition trim can now be had with both the 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engines. Rest of the variants and their respective powertrains remain unchanged. 

Other changes

With this powertrain rejig, Skoda has also updated all the powertrains of the Kushaq and Slavia to meet the upcoming RDE norms that are set to kick in from April. This means all the powertrains are now compatible with E20 blended fuel, and the BSVI phase-2 compliance has also reportedly improved their fuel efficiency by seven percent. 

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Oh, and dual tone colour scheme comprising Crystal Blue with black and Carbon Steel shade with silver roof has been added for the Ambition trim of the Kushaq, while the Slavia gets Honey Orange shade with black roof and Carbon Steel hue with Silver roof.

Power outputs are unchanged, with the 1.5-litre powertrain belting out 150PS and 250Nm while the 1.0-litre petrol unit produces 115PS and 178Nm. A six-speed manual is standard with both while an optional six-speed automatic (1-litre) and a seven-speed DSG (1.5-litre) are also available. 

Skoda retails the Kushaq between Rs 11.59 lakh and Rs 19.69 lakh, while the Slavia is sold from Rs 11.29 lakh to Rs 18.39 lakh (all prices ex-showroom). The Czech SUV goes up against the MG Astor, Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Volkswagen Taigun, Maruti Grand Vitara, and Toyota Hyryder. The compact sedan, on the other hand, is a rival to the Hyundai Verna, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Honda City, and VW Virtus.