Skoda Laura phased out from Indian car market

Skoda Laura Ambition AT launched at Rs 15.65 lakh

06 February, 2013 : Skoda has launched the automatic variant of its luxury saloon Skoda Laura, the AT version is available on the Ambition 1.8 litre petrol variant. The new Skoda Laura AT is up for grabs at Rs 15.65 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). As compared to the manual trim, the AT version is Rs 1 lakh expensive. The new AT version is packed with a 1.8 litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine that pumps out 160 Bhp and 250 Nm. The engine is synchronized to a 7 speed DSG transmission and the premium saloon delivers a high mileage of 14.6 kmpl.

New Skoda Laura Price Infects the Luxury

March 22, 2012: Couple of hours ago Skoda religiously followed the trend of publicizing the new price list for their cars as previously done by other car makers. Indicated into the price list, Skoda Laura the premium sedan has been exposed to inflation that burst by the two per cent rise in the excise duty borne by the consumer goods. Now this luxury sedan, Laura will be available in a bulkier price tag which has been corrected to Rs 12.90 lakh increasing the previous tag of Rs 12.57 lakh by almost Rs 40,000. This elevation of the ownership cost is too repelling for the general mass of customers to own this car at least in this year.

The production model of New Skoda Octavia is projected to be displayed at next year’s Geneva Motor Show. The news can be believed, as Skoda's Global Chairman Mr. Winfried Vahland had showcased interest in bringing back the Skoda Octavia sedan.

Skoda Laura RS launched in India

Auto major Skoda has launched the new Skoda Laura RS in India. Skoda Laura RS is the sports version of its popular luxury sedan model Skoda Laura. The car gets few cosmetic changes along with a sport body kit. The new Skoda Laura RS gets the brand new bumpers on both front and rear side, large front grille to make its appearance more aggressive, day light running lamps and new fog lamps. The new Skoda Laura RS got the sporty cabin with charcoal black theme, black leather seats, sporty metal brake, clutch and accelerator pedals.

Skoda Laura Review by Expert

Skoda Laura has won a lot of appraisal in the auto-car industry and bagged some handsome awards last year including the ‘Midsize Car of the Year’ and ‘Best Variant of the Year’. This car has been launched under petrol and diesel engines which complies with the global standards while its engineering style and phenomenal design competes with global standards. The initial price range is fixed between 13 to 18 lacs.

Skoda Laura offers some of the best in class  engine specifications which offer an increased power, dynamic torque, amazing top speed and a brilliant feature of 6- speed manual transmission. All the variants are embedded with modern safety features, the security and comfort of occupant has always been the top priority and this could be judged by its enhanced braking ability along with directional stability feature. It comes loaded with Direct Injection System technology along with turbocharged engines and in line, liquid cooling system.

The features which increase its charm and luxury include the Xenon curve projector headlights, plush electrically adjustable driver seat are a few of them. The touchscreen audio player and Dual-zone Climatronic are the extra beneficial features of Skoda Laura. The exterior view is enhanced by alloy wheels, external side mirrors are fitted with turn indicators, bumpers, external mirrors and door handles blend amazingly with the body colour.

While the interiors of Skoda Laura are more of chrome oriented in appearance with a lot of chrome inputs on dashboard controls, on steering wheel, interior door handles. The ivory upholstery looks good and the plush seats are comfortable for every occupant. The front dashboard centre console including the door panels are made of dual tone Onyx-Ivory material. It comes loaded with Skoda Swing audio player with 8 speakers for entertainment point of view. For long drives the feature of bottle and cup holders in the front doors are useful. For safe and secure breathing in the polluting the odour filter and pollen filter are there in Skoda Laura.

The new Skoda Laura comes loaded with a lot of storage spaces in every handy and possible location like front and rear doors, backrest of front seats etc.. The initial capacity of luggage compartment is of 560 litres but we get a total space of 1420 litres by folding the rear seats. The rear and centre armrest, six load anchoring points are also included in the luggage compartment.

Skoda Laura is a diesel engine car having a fuel tank capacity of 55 ltrs. It produces a peak power of 105 PS while having a Max torque production of 250 Nm. This brilliant piece of engineering can go from 0-100 in 11.8 sec and having a top speed of around 200 Kmph. This stylish vehicle has a total weight of 1360 Kg. These are one of the best engine specifications in its class.

Skoda Laura is currently offering the best in class safety features including Halogen projector headlights, the defogger feature in rear windscreen and external mirror. The front side had dual airbags including the seatbelt pre-tensioners provided in front seats, also the height adjustable seatbelt option is nice for every genre. In case of a crash the fuel supply will automatically cut-off. The protective cover provided in the under body is also an excellent feature. The overrun speed alert is helpful in avoiding any unwanted situation while the braking system is enhanced with the use of ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assistant), ASR (Anti Slip Regulation) and TCS (Traction Control System).

Hence by all these specifications and brilliant features Skoda Laura has definitely a good market presence and gives a tough competition to other cars in its segment.

Skoda Laura Mileage and Fuel Efficiency

The luxury redefined, Skoda Laura is simply outstanding in mileage and fuel efficiency, compensating lesser for the great displacement that it has, the one of the two petrol versions of the sedan, Ambiente delivers a mileage of 9.5 Kmpl in the city and sharpens 13.5 Kmpl on the highways. The Diesel variants are however efficiency oriented with a mileage of around 11.5- 12.6 Kmpl in the city and 15.4- 16.6 Kmpl on the highways. The anticipated, coming soon variant of the sedan, the Laura RS is however expected to surprise and astonish with a mileage reaching around 12 Kmpl in the city and 17 Kmpl on the highways, quite terrific a substance, the RS would be boom in the market.

Skoda Laura Models and Features

Compare Skoda Laura Models

Skoda Laura Engine, Power and Performance

As mentioned above, the Skoda Laura is available with both petrol and diesel options, however there are only two variants when it comes to talking about the petrol option. The diesel however is available in a number of variants, one of which is yet to hit the market.

1.8 TSI Petrol

The 1.8 TSI petrol engine has been well equipped in the Ambiente Petrol. Based on the platform of a turbocharged petrol technology with 4 cylinders in- line, the engine has a liquid cooling system with direct injection. The threshold of the engine is a 16 V DOHC (Dual Overhead Camshaft). The Engine is capable of generating around 160 bhp as a maximum power and a torque of about 250 Nm. The transmission supported by the power packed engine is a fully synchronized 6 speed manual transmission with a displacement of around 1798 cc.
 

2.0 TDI CR Diesel

The 2.0 l TDI CR Diesel engine with the Skoda Laura is just another gem in the crown with the terrific and amazing power that it has, generating around 110 bhp of power and 250 Nm of torque, far better than the decent. The Engine has a turbocharger with self aligning blades, 4 cylinders in- line, offering a displacement of 1968 cc. The liquid cooling technology well assigned to the high pressure direct injection system along with a threshold of 16 V DOHC, this mitochondrion of the Laura easily boosts up like no other. The engine is fully synchronized with a 5- speed manual transmission which adds up to its powerful spirit.

2.0 TDI CR (A)

The typical 2.0 l TDI (A) Diesel Engine is just another variant of the former TDI Diesel Engine that is based on the same technology and platform but with a twist of having both transmission options, that is, the 6 speed automatic transmission, DSG with triptronic and also manual gear changing. The Engine is highly power packed and can deliver a power of about 140 bhp and a torque that is amazing standalone at a 320 Nm. These Zeusic statistics are further raised with a displacement of 1968 cc.

Skoda Laura Pickup and Acceleration

The petrol variants of the Skoda Laura offer an ultimate maximum power of about 160 bhp at 4500- 6200 rpm and deliver a bashing torque of around 250 Nm at 1500- 4500 rpm, reaching 0- 100 within 9.5 seconds and attaining a top speed of 204 Km/ h with a 6 speed manual transmission. The Diesel variants with manual 5 speed transmission deliver a power of about 110 bhp at a rate of 4200 rpm and a torque of around 250 Nm at 1500- 2500 rpm, covering 0- 100 within 12.5 seconds and attaining a top speed of 188 Km/ h. The automatic transmission variant however successfully delivers a power output of 140 bhp at 4000 rpm and a torque of around 320 Nm at 1750- 2500 rpm. The power produced remains matchless. The sedan reaches 0- 100 within a span of just 11.2 seconds and attains a top speed of 190 Km/ h with quite an ease.

Skoda Laura Interiors and Features

The Skoda Laura takes you to a whole new world once you step inside its wonderful couture that mesmerizes and pleases from every sight. The sedan houses exquisite grandeur in the form of luxury that has indeed been redefined within the outstanding chrome finish surroundings around the instrument panel and the front console. The chrome trims on the steering, dash panel, instrument and driver information cluster, gear knob, storage compartments and the decals looks extraordinarily extravagant. The Skoda Laura has even more with the detailing of the refreshingly sophisticated ivory and wooden décor that is found mixed in the very upholstery of the sedan. The beauty is truly at its best in the Skoda Laura with the Onyx- ivory dash in dual tones that stretch across through your persistence right at the front. There is ample space inside this grande couture with enough space to stretch out your legs. The thought of comfort comes quite easy with the active head rests in the front and the central arm rest at the rear portion of the vast cabin. The door trims on your sides are magnificent when it comes to the best of both worlds that is the blend of luxury with style, found at the very peak in this charming craftsmanship of Skoda Motors.
 The multifunctional steering has everything including the audio and video controls. The central panel housing the audio system with built in support for Bluetooth, AUX- In, LCD TFT Touch screen integrated 6 CD/ DVD changer is simply terrific. Other accessibility controls in the central console include illuminated tuner, ashtray, 12 V accessory socket power source and support for GPS. The glove box too has a beautiful illumination. Apart from the seating arrangement and accessibility panels, the infotainment in the Laura stands apart from the rest that has a support for the MMC, a memory card reader as well. The Dual zone climatronics with integrated automatic air cooling regulation system makes it even more luxurious. The electrically adjustable driver seat with lumbar support stands out the best at comfort.

The lavishing interiors have a large storage space as well. Numerous storage compartments are spread throughout the sedan like the glove box that has ample space, the storage compartment under steering wheel, magazine holders beneath the door trims of both front and rear portions of the cabin, tray holder beneath the front seats, coat hook at the rear, centre arm rest with open/ close storage compartment and a huge boot space of about 560 l at the back of the sedan which can further be extended by folding the rear seats of the car.

From all aspects, luxury has been given a new name in the Skoda, it is the Laura itself.

Skoda Laura Exteriors and Features

The Skoda Laura has beautiful and appreciable exteriors as well and they go hand in hand with the very definition of ‘breath taking’ looks. The Laura has a distinguished level of design and elegance in its excellent arch. The exteriors of the sedan are truly unmatchable and like no other. The sedan stands apart in every aspect. The bold and beautiful headlamps have been well defined with rectangular curves and stand alone with dignity forming a very sophisticated and dramatic front fascia. The front meets even more urban looks with the excellent and broad front chrome grille that differentiates and makes the no man’s land between the two headlamps. Just above the grille lies the Skoda company logo that speaks for itself. The bonnet has a sensuous slope with a design line in between the two flat ends. The layered side windings just like the bonnet sigma make a wonderful appearance.

The rear is equally fabulous with the tail lights having a similar touch like that of Octavia, however look extremely sporty and civilized. The body colored bumpers and the chrome finishing around the ORVMs together with the mounted turn indicators look excellent. The fog lamps in the front sitting at the edges of the bumpers look refreshing. Overall the finishing, design and craftsmanship of the all new Skoda Laura is matchless and redefines every word in the silver lining.

Safety Features in Skoda Laura

The Skoda Laura comes well equipped with advanced safety features like the ABS (Anti- lock braking system), EBD (Electronic brake force distribution), Electronic stability program (ESP),  Electronic Differential Lock, Anti slip regulation, mechanical brake assistant, hydraulic brake resistant etc. that have been incorporated in the genome of the sedan to ensure maximum protection and safety to its passengers. Also the facility for the six airbags in the cabin of the sedan further adds to the safety measures taken by Skoda. Some anti- theft measures include engine immobilizer, password lock in the engine etc.

Skoda Laura Driving and Handling

The luxurious Skoda Laura provides for the most comfortable drive of your life with some really distinguished features like the multifunctional power steering that is super responsive and handy, the brake assist, cruise control and the highly advanced accessibility module. The transmission comes smooth and easy on high speeds too and the great axle control makes you gain the confidence of crossing 100 on the highways with an ease. The traction control system is yet very remarkable aspect and the McPherson Strut type suspension in the front together with the rear multi- link suspension make it easy on all bumpy terrains.

Skoda Laura Accessories

The Skoda Laura has its own Skoda Audio system with a LCD TFT Touch screen audio console with integrated 6 CD/ DVD changer and has twelve speakers that deliver outstanding bass and treble. The console has a MMC/ memory card reader, USB, Bluetooth, AUX- In support for more accessibility.

Skoda Laura Conclusion

The Skoda Laura has matchless interiors and exteriors with performance oriented statistics that command a ten on ten in its segment. The Laura is indeed ‘Luxury Redefined’.