The introduction of the SLAVIA marks the start of ŠKODA AUTO’s next stage in the INDIA 2.0 project. Following the successful launch of the KUSHAQ SUV, the brand-new saloon is the Czech carmaker’s second India-specific model. The SLAVIA is produced in the country, with a localisation level of 95%. As the saloon is based on the MQB-A0-IN platform – an MQB variant specially adapted by ŠKODA AUTO for India – it offers a comprehensive range of safety features and advanced infotainment systems. The power output of the TSI engines available for the SLAVIA is 85 kW (115 PS)* and 110 kW (150 PS)* respectively, and just like other ŠKODAs, this model is characterised by an emotive design. Its name is both a tribute to the carmaker’s beginnings and a symbol of a new era in the Indian market.

Thomas Schäfer, ŠKODA AUTO CEO, said: “With the new SLAVIA, we are igniting the next stage of our INDIA 2.0 product campaign. Following the successful launch of the KUSHAQ, we are now entering another popular segment with our brand-new saloon. The SLAVIA is perfectly tailored to the needs of our customers in India and is built with a localisation level of up to 95%. We are confident that both the KUSHAQ and the SLAVIA will allow us to leverage the full potential in this promising, growing market.”

Gurpratap Boparai, Managing Director of ŠKODA AUTO Volkswagen India Private Limited, stated: “The successful start of the INDIA 2.0 project with the KUSHAQ truly highlights what can be achieved with global collaboration here in India. In addition to the increasingly sought-after SUVs, the premium saloon segment offers tremendous potential, and it’s a territory that we have made our own. The sophisticated SLAVIA stands for prestige and style. It also represents a new growth area for ŠKODA AUTO. With its sophistication, capable engines and numerous Simply Clever features, the SLAVIA will appeal to discerning customers in India, and it will also be appreciated in markets around the world. We are confident that the ŠKODA SLAVIA will continue the benchmarks set by the OCTAVIA and SUPERB, and will help us to further strengthen our dominance in the segment.”

Commemorating the founding fathers Václav Laurin and Václav Klement
In 1895, the founding fathers Václav Laurin and Václav Klement started their business by repairing bicycles in Mladá Boleslav. Soon after, they designed their own, successfully marketing them under the brand name SLAVIA from 1896. The bicycles stood for reliability, affordability and inventiveness – qualities that still form ŠKODA’s ‘Simply Clever’ corporate philosophy today. ‘SLAVIA’ quickly became synonymous with quality and innovation, and the name was also adopted for the motorcycles introduced by Laurin and Klement in 1899.

Local development and local production
The MQB-A0-IN – a variant of Volkswagen Group’s modular transverse matrix – provides the technical basis for the new models. ŠKODA AUTO has adapted this platform specifically for the Indian market and to meet the country’s new, stricter safety and emission requirements. The majority of the development work is carried out locally – in close collaboration with colleagues based in the Czech Republic – at the technology centre in Pune, which opened in early 2019. The on-site team’s wealth of expertise and understanding of local preferences mean that ŠKODA can respond to changing needs quickly and in a flexible manner. ŠKODA AUTO’s vehicle production in India has a localisation level of up to 95%. The carmaker set up a new MQB production line at its Pune plant so this could be achieved. In the medium term, the models manufactured in India will also be exported to other countries.

Following the KUSHAQ, the SLAVIA is the second ŠKODA in the INDIA 2.0 campaign
The SLAVIA saloon is the second new ŠKODA for the INDIA 2.0 project, following the KUSHAQ SUV, which was launched in the first quarter of 2021. Headed by ŠKODA AUTO, who oversees all activities of Volkswagen Group in India, the campaign is backed by investments of one billion euros to strengthen the long-term presence of ŠKODA and Volkswagen on the Indian subcontinent. The aim is to reach a combined market share of 5% by 2025. The ŠKODA KUSHAQ and SLAVIA models will be followed by a Volkswagen saloon; a Volkswagen SUV has already been launched.

* Provisional information – final data will be published once the car has been homologated

Exterior: emotive and elegant, featuring crystalline details

• Stylish: coupé-like saloon for the A0 segment, which is very popular in India
• Practical: generous amounts of space and a boot with a capacity of 521 l
• Front and tail lights with LED technology
• Choice of Crystal Blue – a new, ŠKODA-exclusive colour for India – and two-tone alloy wheels

Mladá Boleslav / Pune, 18 November 2021 – Exhibiting elegant lines and ŠKODA’s well-established emotive design language, the SLAVIA creates a new highlight for A0 saloons, which are very popular in India. It offers generous amounts of space for up to five people and has a boot capacity of 521 l. Its front and tail lights are available with advanced LED technology and characterise the ŠKODA-typical crystalline details. Chrome-plated design features, two-tone alloy wheels and an exclusive ŠKODA badge all add to the SLAVIA’s high-quality feel. The new metallic Crystal Blue and the Tornado Red paintwork are both ŠKODA exclusives for the Indian market.

Oliver Stefani, Head of ŠKODA Design, said: “The new SLAVIA is a true ŠKODA, characterised by our emotive design language. Alongside the powerful and striking KUSHAQ, our brand-new saloon brings traditional elegance to India’s A0 segment. Its crystalline elements are inspired by the brand’s Czech heritage while distinctive visual highlights, such as the chrome applications on the door handles, add a unique touch to its appearance.”

The ŠKODA SLAVIA is a classic saloon in the popular A0 segment in India. At a length of 4,541 mm, it is ideal for the city driving. Its ŠKODA-typical generous amounts of space and boot capacity of 521 l make it fit for the daily requirements of a family. Its width of 1,752 mm and wheelbase of 2,651 mm also contribute to the feeling of spaciousness, while the vehicle height is 1,487 mm. Its long wheelbase, balanced proportions and coupé-like silhouette add to the SLAVIA’s elegant appearance. There is a choice of three trim levels – Active, Ambition and Style – for the new saloon.

Clean-cut lines, clear surfaces and chrome applications
The SLAVIA’s emotive design language with sharp lines, clear surfaces and crystalline structures builds on that of the OCTAVIA and SUPERB – two ŠKODA saloons which are well established in India. The wide, hexagonal ŠKODA grille with a chrome surround and vertical black slats is upright and extends to the sides of the slim headlights. The lower air inlet runs across nearly the vehicle’s entire width and merges with black, C-shaped applications on both sides. The roofline slopes gently and seamlessly towards the rear. The tailgate bears ‘ŠKODA’ in block lettering in the centre. The wide tailgate and low loading sill mean that the large boot is easy to use. The rear bumper accentuates the SLAVIA’s width and features a thin black insert that runs from one reflector to the other in the Active and Ambition trim levels. In the higher specifications, chrome applications create visual highlights, for example on the door handles and on the front apron (SLAVIA Ambition), or below the side windows and on the rear apron (SLAVIA Style). The top-end variant Style also comes with an electric sliding glass roof. From the Ambition trim upwards, a model-specific badge with crystalline and chrome-plated details and ŠKODA lettering on the front wings makes for an additional visual highlight.

Headlights and tail lights with LED technology
The entry-level headlights come with halogen lamps for low beam and high beam, while the daytime running lights make use of LED technology. In the top-end specification, a hexagonal LED module produces the low beam and high beam, while the daytime running lights are provided by a striking, sharply defined L-shaped LED strip. There is also a choice of two variants for the rear lights which are split in two. Even the entry-level specification features LED tail lights and brake lights, forming the ŠKODA-typical C-shaped light cluster. The SLAVIA Ambition and Style also boast an LED tail light module on the tailgate.

Five colours and three different wheel options measuring up to 16 inches
The new saloon’s wheels depend on the trim level. The SLAVIA Active features 15-inch steel wheels with hubcaps. The higher-end trim levels, Ambition and Style, come with alloy wheels as standard: silver-coloured 16-inch alloys for the SLAVIA Ambition, and painted and brushed two-tone 16-inch alloys for the top-specification SLAVIA Style. There is a choice of five body colours for the brand-new saloon. In addition to Tornado Red, the colour options include metallic Crystal Blue – ŠKODA is the only Volkswagen Group brand in India to offer this paintwork. Both the SLAVIA and the KUSHAQ are also available in Candy White, metallic Reflex Silver and metallic Carbon Steel.

Interior: modern and in line with the preferences of Indian customers

• Interior with digital instrument cluster, ambient lighting and a recess on the dashboard
• Perfect for India: powerful air conditioning and ventilated front seats

Mladá Boleslav / Pune, 18 November 2021 – The new SLAVIA’s interior is based on the latest design concept of ŠKODA’s European models. A free-standing infotainment screen measuring up to 10 inches takes centre stage. The circular air vents are another striking feature. From Ambition upwards, touch-control Climatronic with Air Care function comes as standard, while comfort features such as ventilated front seats upholstered in leather are available for the top-end specification Style.

The SLAVIA showcases the latest ŠKODA interior design concept. Just as with other model ranges from the Czech car manufacturer, the free-standing infotainment touchscreen measuring up to 10 inches takes centre stage. The line running underneath is inspired by the silhouette of the ŠKODA grille and provides a hand rest for use when operating the display. A horizontal, colour-contrasting decorative strip accentuates the width of the spacious interior and connects the circular side air vents.

Digital instrument cluster, ambient lighting and a special design feature
The range-topping trim level, Style, offers a digital instrument cluster with an 8-inch colour display; the other variants come with analogue gauges. The two-spoke multifunction steering wheel, as seen in other ŠKODA models, is upholstered in leather from the Ambition specification upwards. Vehicles fitted with automatic transmission or DSG also boast shift paddles on the steering wheel. LED reading lights in the front and rear come as standard. From the Ambition trim upwards, the extended ambient lighting illuminates the dashboard, the storage compartment in the centre console and the door handles. The SLAVIA also features a special design detail on the instrument-cluster housing, showcasing the ŠKODA lettering strikingly embossed on both sides.

Powerful air conditioning, ventilated front seats and a recess on the dashboard
As with the KUSHAQ SUV, the ŠKODA interior designers paid particular attention to the preferences and needs of Indian customers for the new SLAVIA. Even the entry-level variant, Active, features powerful air conditioning, and from the Ambition trim level upwards, the SLAVIA boasts a touch-control Climatronic with Air Care function and air vents in the rear. The standard equipment for Style, the top-end specification, also includes ventilated leather front seats, an electric, sliding glass roof, KESSY keyless vehicle entry and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror. The utility recess on the dashboard is a market-specific feature. This is where the driver can keep a lucky charm in clear view.

Connectivity: advanced infotainment systems with smartphone integration

• Central colour touchscreen measuring 7 or 10 inches
• Navigation function for the top-of-the-range system can be downloaded

Mladá Boleslav / Pune, 18 November 2021 – Both infotainment systems available for the new ŠKODA SLAVIA can be operated easily and intuitively, and entirely via the colour touchscreen measuring 7 or 10 inches. They feature SmartLink technology enabling the integration of smartphones. The Ambition and Style trim levels provide access to a plethora of MyŠKODA Connect mobile online services with ŠKODA Play Apps, which can be used to download a navigation function for the top-end infotainment system.

There is a choice of two advanced infotainment systems for the new SLAVIA. These allow smartphones to be paired via SmartLink technology and provide access to mobile online services. Both are operated entirely via the central, colour touchscreen, which measures 7 inches in the Active specification. This infotainment system also allows for hands-free phone calls via a Bluetooth connection and a built-in microphone. Electronic devices can be charged and data transferred via a USB-A socket. MyŠKODA Connect offers a Vehicle Health Report on the smartphone and remote vehicle access, allowing owners to retrieve vehicle information and driving data, including parking location. The MyŠKODA Connect app also provides tips for a more efficient driving style, retrieves over-the-air vehicle software updates, and notifies the owner if the SLAVIA is speeding or travelling outside a specified area. ŠKODA Play Apps can be downloaded from the app store.

10-inch display and optional navigation function for the range-topping infotainment system
The top-level infotainment system in Ambition and Style has a 10-inch colour touchscreen with functionality similar to that found in smartphones. Wireless SmartLink technology allows smartphone mirroring and access to the app store without the use of a cable. Downloads from the ŠKODA Play Apps allow for the range of features to be expanded, for example, by a navigation function. The coordinates are provided by a GPS tuner that has been pre-installed in the vehicle. This system also features a dual tuner, a Wi-Fi hotspot and an external microphone for hands-free phone calls (Bluetooth standard 4.0). For connecting and charging mobile devices via cable, there are two USB-C sockets in the centre console and another two in the rear from the Ambition trim level upwards; the SLAVIA Style comes with a Phone Box in the front, which allows smartphones to be charged inductively.