Skoda Kushaq and Slavia 1.0 TSI Variants Become E20 Compliant in India

Recently, Skoda’s MQB-A0-IN-based vehicles, the Kushaq SUV and Slavia sedan got certified for being E20-compliant in India. As of now, only their 1.0 TSI variants (automatic and manual) received the certification. That said, it should be safe to assume that the 1.0-litre versions of the Volkswagen Taigun SUV and Virtus sedan will also receive the E20-compliant certificates.  

However, the results of the 1.5-litre versions are anticipated to roll out in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024. 

For those unaware, E20 petrol is essentially a blend of 80% petrol and 20% ethanol. 

This certification was issued by the Automotive Research Association of India, which is widely known as ARAI. 

Expressing himself on this occasion, Petr Janeba, Brand Director of Skoda Auto India, stated, “Along with making cars that lead in driving dynamics and safety, efficiency, and sustainability have also been at the centre of our product and production practices. TSI technology has been time-tested and proven for efficiency and emissions while being effectively powered. We have evolved and adapted this technology to various updates in standards and policies across the globe. The 1.0 TSI especially, with its 3-cylinder turbo configuration tuned for power and efficiency is a versatile powertrain, and the E20 certification is a testament to this. We are confident of a similar outcome when the 1.5 TSI is tested, later this year.”

Powertrains

The India-specific engineered vehicles, the Skoda Kushaq and Slavia are based on the same MQB-A0-IN platform and are powered by turbocharged petrol (TSI) engines. There is a 1.0-litre TSI engine, which is tuned to produce 114bhp at 5000rpm and 178Nm of torque at 1750rpm. In parallel, the more powerful 1.5-litre TSI engine produces 148bhp at 5000rpm and 250Nm of peak torque at 1600rpm. 

Both engines are available in manual and automatic versions. 

Features

Both vehicles are equipped with new-age necessary features; be it comfort, convenience or safety. There is a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment unit, an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, ambient lighting, a tyre pressure monitoring system, a cooled glove box, ventilated front seats (cooling only), power windows (all), a single-pane sunroof, and optional diamond-cut alloy wheels. 

Further, they both have connected car technology, LED lights (front and rear) with LED DRLs, active cornering lights cum foglamps (halogen), electric front seats (driver and co-driver), auto-dimming IRVM, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlamps, etc. 

More so, they have disc brakes, brake assist, hill-descent control, hill-assist, ABS with EBD, traction control, ESP, ISOFIX child-seat anchorages, speed-sensing door lock, and six airbags, among others. 

These two vehicles also boast a 5-star safety rating, awarded by the Global NCAP. 

Pricing and Rivals

The Skoda Kushaq and Skoda Slavia are similarly priced, having a starting price of Rs 10.89 lakh and 10.69 lakh, respectively. The former’s price goes up to Rs 18.79 lakh, while the latter’s goes up to Rs 18.69 lakh. 

All are ex-showroom figures, as of July 2024. 

The vehicles in their respective segments include the Hyundai Verna, Hyundai Creta, Honda City, Honda Elevate, Volkswagen Taigun, Volkswagen Virtus, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, and Toyota Hyryder, to name a few.