Volkswagen and Skoda’s India 2.0 strategy will start from the next year. So, both of the brands will be launching new cars based heavily on localised underpinnings to cut down on cost and attract more people. These include SUVs, mid-size SUVs, mid-size sedans and executive sedans.
Skoda Octavia Facelift
While other premium sedans have already received a facelift, Skoda’s Octavia seems to be left behind. However, the facelift was being considered to be launched in September of 2020 but the pandemic happened due to which the Octavia Facelift has been postponed to the first half of 2021. The new Octavia comes with a radical new design which is much more elegant. It would be interesting to see how the Skoda modifies the design to make it sporty for the vRS variant.
Also read: Next-gen Skoda Octavia spotted testing in India
The new Octavia has been spied numerous times being tested on the Indian roads without any camouflage. So, we can tell how will look like. At the front, you get a much bigger butterfly grille which is flanked by LED headlamps with LED Daytime Running Lamps. There are LED fog lamps, split LED tail lamps and a sculpted bonnet. The new Octavia will 19mm longer and 15 mm wider than the current generation but the wheelbase of the current generation has been retained.
Skoda has also reworked the cabin layout and now it gets a new 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system which will support Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. There will also be virtual cockpit, Skoda’s Smartlink+ connected and a new two-spoke steering wheel. It will be offered with two engine options. There will be a 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine that produces 150 HP and a 2.0-litre TSI petrol engine that produces 187 Nm. Both the engines should come mated to a 7-speed DSG Dual Clutch automatic gearbox.
Skoda Compact SUV based on Vision IN concept
At the Auto Expo 2020, Skoda unveiled the Vision IN Concept. Skoda has already started road testing of the production version of the Vision IN Concept which might be called Kliq. Being a Skoda it will full of clever touches like a big touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, ambient lighting, soft-touch dashboard, digital instrument cluster, wireless charging and a sunroof. It is based on Volkswagen’s MQB A0 IN platform which is a made specifically for India by heavily modifying the MQB A0 architecture which is used internationally. This should help in bringing the cost down of the new products from Volkswagen’s group.
The lower variants of the Skoda Kliq will be offered with a 1.0-litre TSI petrol engine that produces 110 HP and 175 Nm. It will be offered with a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed torque converter gearbox. There will also be a more powerful 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine producing 150 HP and 250 Nm. It will come with a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox.
Skoda Kodiaq petrol
Skoda’s Kodiaq with a petrol engine was supposed to be launched this year but the launch was pushed to the first half of 2021 due to the pandemic. There will not be any cosmetic changes to the Kodiaq. There will only be a mechanical change with the 2.0-litre TSI petrol engine which will also debut on the new generation of Skoda Octavia. It will produce 187 HP of max power and a peak torque output of 320 Nm. It will be mated to a 7-speed DSG Dual Clutch automatic transmission.
VW Tiguan Facelift
The Tiguan recently received a facelift in the international markets while India received the Tiguan Allspace which replaces the standard Tiguan. The Tiguan Allspace is the 7-seater version of the standard Tiguan. However, now Volkswagen will be launching the 5-seater Tiguan with the facelift. It will be powered by the 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine producing 150 HP and 250 Nm. It will come with a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox. It will be a front-wheel-drive SUV only as there will be no four-wheel drive option to keep the costs in check. The new facelift will get virtual cockpit, a larger touchscreen infotainment system, a redesigned front which resembles the new generation of Golf and much more.
Volkswagen Vento replacement
The Vento has been on sale for quite a long time now and has not received any substantial update. However, that is supposed to change with an all-new mid-size sedan that will be replacing the current Vento. There is not much known about the new sedan. However, what we do know is that it will be powered by the 1.0-litre TSI petrol engine. The engine is capable of producing 110 HP and 75 Nm. It will be mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed torque converter gearbox. The new sedan will also use the MQB A0 IN platform to keep the costs low.
Also read: India-bound next-generation Hyundai Elantra drive video
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