Slavia lastly will get the Monte Carlo therapy, and we head to the BIC to expertise it.
The Skoda Slavia has at all times been one of many nicest-driving sedans in the marketplace, and ever since its launch, fanatics have been demanding a sporty model akin to its cousin, the Volkswagen Virtus GT. Properly, it’s lastly right here within the type of the Slavia Monte Carlo, and I obtained an opportunity to expertise it at India’s premier race observe, the Buddh Worldwide Circuit.
The Monte Carlo may be had in two colors: Twister Pink – seen right here – and Sweet White.
Skoda Slavia Monte Carlo exterior
Earlier than we get to the laps, let’s see what modifications it will get over the usual Slavia to make it the Monte Carlo. Gloss black has grow to be synonymous with being sporty and the Slavia Monte Carlo will get loads of that therapy on the surface. The entrance grille, components within the entrance bumper, the alloys, the wing mirrors, the roof, the window line, the rear diffuser, boot-lid spoiler and the badging are completed in black, and these give it that good distinction in opposition to the pink or white color the Monte Carlo is out there in.
16-inch black alloy wheels get grippy 205/55 rubber as customary.
What’s distinctive to the Monte Carlo are the smoked-out tail-lamps, and the shiny black facet skirts and badges on the entrance fenders. Nevertheless, Skoda has not given the Slavia the fashionable 17-inch ‘Vega’ dual-tone alloys and pink brake calipers that function on the Kushaq Monte Carlo. A decrease journey peak, which might have concerned some mechanical work, isn’t part of the Monte Carlo’s menu.
Skoda Slavia Monte Carlo inside
Twin-tone theme continues on the within.
Pull the door deal with, which sports activities a dark-chrome impact, and also you’ll discover the Monte Carlo scuff plates. The inside, like the outside, follows a black and pink theme. Many of the upholstery, together with the roof liner, is black and is properly contrasted with pink particulars. There’s some pink upholstery on the seats, on the trim piece, on the sprint, and even within the graphics of the digital instrument cluster. Finishing the therapy are sporty steel pedals and Monte Carlo embossing on the headrests. Aside from that, it continues to get options like a 10-inch touchscreen, a sunroof, leatherette upholstery, ventilated seats, 6 airbags, and extra.
Skoda Slavia Monte Carlo powertrain
Mechanically, the Monte Carlo stays an identical to the remainder of the Slavia vary: a 110hp, 1.0 TSI engine with the 6-speed handbook (Rs 15.79 lakh) or torque converter automated (Rs 16.89 lakh), and the 150hp, 1.5 TSI that’s solely obtainable with the 7-speed DSG automated (Rs 18.49 lakh). Curiously, the Monte Carlo is not the top-spec model like earlier Skodas, and as a substitute, it sits beneath the Status variant of the Slavia.
Skoda Slavia Monte Carlo drive, dealing with
Now for the enjoyable bit – the recent laps. With loads of media individuals current, observe time was restricted. However, it was a variety of enjoyable. Having VW Polo Cup champion Saurav Bandhopadhyay as my teacher was an added bonus. Having by no means pushed on this observe, he helped me with my racing traces and braking factors.
Even on the BIC, the 150hp, 1.5 TSI engine does not really feel out of breath.
It’s assumed {that a} small automobile like that is certain to really feel sluggish on a observe, however, from my perspective, that wasn’t the case. The 1.5 TSI with its 250Nm of torque has loads of grunt to haul you out of the sluggish corners, and the 150hp on faucet meant I used to be capable of cross 180kph on the again straight. I used to be additionally impressed by the grip on supply from the 205 part, 16-inch tyres across the flowing center part of the observe. What enhanced the expertise additional was the quick-shifting DSG gearbox, which may be operated by way of paddle shifters; a handbook possibility with the 1.5 TSI would have been good, although.
I additionally obtained to expertise the Monte Carlo round a good and twisty autocross observe and slalom course, and the Slavia felt secure and predictable in the course of the a number of route modifications. The steering additionally felt direct and gave me a good suggestion of what the entrance wheels have been doing. The brakes, too, felt up for the job and stopped the Slavia on a dime regardless of repeated exhausting braking.
The Slavia feels secure and predictable by means of a slalom.
Skoda Slavia Monte Carlo value and verdict
The Slavia Monte Carlo is priced between Rs 15.79 lakh and Rs 18.49 lakh. We are going to drive the Monte Carlo out in the true world for a correct first drive overview quickly, and till then, that is only a style of what this sedan has to supply. General, it stays an gratifying drive, and the sportier aesthetics ought to appeal to much more patrons than earlier than.
Additionally see:
Skoda Kushaq Monte Carlo long run overview, 28,200km report
Skoda Kushaq Sportline launched at Rs 14.70 lakh
New Skoda compact SUV christened Kylaq
