No Upcoming Diesel Option for Skoda Kushaq/Slavia – Exclusive

With stricter-becoming emission norms, carmakers are ditching diesel engines due to high development costs

We got the opportunity to talk to the Skoda Brand Director, Petr Janeba, and the diesel engine for Skoda Kushaq/Slavia was a key topic. We know that carmakers around the globe are running away from diesel engines. This is particularly true for relatively smaller cars since the cost to update diesel engines to meet the latest emission norms is just too high. Hence, the cars will become way too expensive which will defeat the purpose of owning a low-running diesel car to begin with. Let us take a look at the details here.

No Diesel Option for Skoda Kushaq/Slavia

During our interaction with Petr, it became clear that bringing a diesel engine for the likes of the Skoda Kushaq/Slavia makes little sense. The emission norms are getting stricter and stricter with each passing day. Even though the BS6 norms were difficult to keep up with for some carmakers, the BS7 norms will be even more challenging. Hence, to constantly update diesel engines requires a lot of investment which is often passed on to the customers in the form of price hikes. This makes a huge difference in the price-sensitive markets like India. Hence, the advantage of Creta and Seltos in the mid-size SUV segment with the diesel engines will carry on for quite some time.

Note that this topic came to light since Skoda already sells diesel cars in Europe. Since India is the largest market for the Czech car marque outside Europe, there were rumours that we might get the diesel variants for some cars here as well. Remember that the likes of the Kodiaq and Superb get the diesel mills in Europe. Since these cars will be CBU units, we could see diesel in these. However, to offer a diesel in the mid-size SUV or sedan segment makes little sense. Hence, it doesn’t come as a surprise to us that the Kushaq and Slavia will continue to be powered by turbo petrol engines going forward as well.

Skoda Kushaq/Slavia – Specs

Both these cars share the powertrain and transmission options. These include a 1.0-litre TSI turbo petrol mill which generates a healthy 115 hp and 178 Nm and a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine which produces an impressive 150 hp and 250 Nm of peak power and torque, respectively. The smaller engine offers the alternative of choosing between either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission, while the latter is available with a sole 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox. Both these engines offer incredible performance. The Kushaq ranges from Rs 10.89 lakh to Rs 18.79 lakh, while the Slavia retails between Rs 10.69 lakh and Rs 18.69 lakh, ex-showroom.

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