Skoda's day out: Kylaq, Slavia Monte Carlo, Kodiaq and beyond!
Our day began with the RoRo ferry from Mumbai's Princess Dock to Alibaug, which is approximately 100km from the financial capital's mainland to the island town. This journey usually takes around two hours by road, but thanks to the ferry, we were across in just an hour. The impressive Kodiaq lounge aboard the ferry served as a reminder of the Czech brand's presence in our country, which has been around in India for the past 25 years. Upon arrival at the Mandwa jetty port, we were treated to a compact and neatly designed tarmac course, which would serve as the appetiser.
The Kylaq's compact dimensions make it an able handler.
advertisementSkoda had prepared for us to take on said course, which included a handling section, moose test, acceleration-braking and slalom section to whet our appetite. After a demo lap from the instructors, it was first time to unleash the might-impressive Kylaq, which handled all sections with calm and ease. Sure, the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder TSI motor suffered from a slight lack of power under 2,000rpm, but it came to life beyond that and had well-contained body roll throughout. Its compact dimensions and attractive design language make it a tasty proposition in the sub-4m SUV segment in the country.
The handling course included two right-handers and two left-handers, all of which had varying degrees of turn-in.
advertisementNext up, there was a choice to be made. Either take the 1.5-litre, four-cylinder TSI-equipped Kushaq or Slavia for the same course. I opted to go for the sedan, simply because I've always had a soft corner for both the Virtus and Slavia. Also, it is quite a looker in its 'Monte Carlo' guise, finished in 'Tornado Red' with those additional mini side and front skirts. Nevertheless, Slavia also proved to be impressive around this mini-track of sorts. Its body roll felt more predictable, yet kept it tight in the corners, and the moose test, or the 'cow' test, in our country.
The Kylaq held its own in the moose test, as well.
Both the Kylaq and Slavia are testaments to Skoda's commitment to offering vehicles that feel premium, offer a good set of features, with an element of excitement. Ashish Gupta, brand director, Skoda Auto India, explained later in the day about Skoda's renewed commitment, which focuses on three key pillars - relevance, differentiation and trust. The first is to offer relevant products, which make sense for our market at different and accessible price points. The second is to have a clear path to distinguish it from the rest of the competition. And the third, and perhaps most crucial, is to improve the service experience and build a strong sense of community with the Skoda brand in India.
The Slavia also impressed with its minimal body roll and plenty of power on tap.
After completing the track experience, it was time for a short drive over to the off-road course. Lying in wait was Skoda's flagship model in India, which we've already had a chance to drive and sample, but not quite like this. Once again, there was a briefing to explain the facets of the course Skoda had prepared, and although it may not have been an extensive one, it certainly had a few tricky sections that required utmost attention. For example, there were steep inclines and declines, articulation sections, ditches, and a braking test section as well.
Minimal steering input was key in some sections of the off-road course.
advertisementDuring the demo run with the instructor, it was important to follow the rule of 'ASAP' or as slow as possible. Also, steering inputs have to be kept to a minimum, and unlike the tarmac section, it is important not to keep your thumbs locked into the steering wheel, as in some parts of the off-road course, the steering could bite back, and this could potentially be a cause for injury. Thankfully, the Kodiaq kept us cocooned in luxury, whilst taking on the course with relative ease. Its hill descent control came into play on those sharp declines, and its traction control system on the half-and-half braking section, which had a paved and mud section.
The safety-based electronics came into play on more than one occasion.
The ditch section too was a breeze as the Kodiaq managed its weight extremely well, and there was never a cause for concern or lack of power from the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder TSI motor. The large screen in the cabin had the position of the wheel and the level of degrees to which the tyres turn, right there in front of us, to further aid us during this off-road course. It's safe to say that the Kodiaq is at the helm of Skoda's line-up in India, and it's for good reason, too. It's a demonstration of the kind of products the 130-year-old brand can produce, and there is another iconic model to join its ranks soon. The freshly appointed brand director and Skoda Auto India claim that 2025 will be the brand's biggest year yet.
For a sharp incline, its best feed the throttle consistently and not loose momentum.
advertisementSkoda will also be concentrating on emphasising the importance and democratisation of the automatic gearbox, especially through products like the Kylaq, which offers a six-speed torque converter. Just in the last year, Skoda claims to have risen from the 11th position to the seventh position, as far as auto brands in India are concerned. In 2025, Skoda hopes to increase its market share and growth in sales volumes by two times, and also increase customer, sales and aftersales touchpoints across multiple cities. The brand also plans to foray into the pre-owned car business soon, and the brand-new product scheduled to arrive this year could very well be the latest generation of the revered Octavia vRS.Subscribe to Auto Today Magazine
The articulation section doesn't require throttle input; it's best to let the vehicle proceed at its own pace.
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