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-   -   Skoda Slavia Facelift spied testing for the first time (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian-car-scene/280984-skoda-slavia-facelift-spied-testing-first-time-3.html)

I hope this facelift is similar to Verna’s facelift that had substantial changes and not like City’s facelift that were basic.

If it gets premium interior, it would probably end up dragging Honda City to low 3 digit sales.

The Verna got a generation change. The Honda city got a facelift. This is also a facelift :)

Ah, my bad. Still Honda City facelift was such a bummer (but as a pre-facelift 5th gen City owner, I was secretly happy ;) ) and I hope Skoda invests a lot of effort with this facelift. I never thought I'd say this, but Tata Nexon's facelift has set a high benchmark.

True, Tata has done a phenomenal job with Nexon. If Slavia had the interior quality as that of Verna I would have had a Slavia by now and not Verna as Slavia in Red was Love at first sight for me. But my better half rejected Slavia for the poor interiors and the worst reverse camera quality.

Skoda India unfortunately seems to have a checklist mentality to product design and ends up with average/poorly chosen options made to a budget. Their sourcing is average and volumes low so it is difficult to offer what their competitors like Hyundai and Tata offer at a competitive price. This leads to an expensive product with a list of added features which actually take AWAY from the feeling of premiumness instead of adding to it.

Some examples:
1. Digital instrument cluster: Tick. But a sad looking tiny one which feels cheap.
2. The launch roof liner
3. Poor quality plastics in the interiors which lead to rattles
4. An AC module that does not cool properly

If I were Skoda management in India, I would focus on ramping up the quality instead of adding more gimmicky half done features in an attempt to meet my checklist. Benchmark against the competition, pick 50% of the features which you believe are truly important to YOUR customers and then SURPASS the competition on those chosen featuree.

As a sample tradeoff, I am fine with Analog dials in the instrument cluster (and welcome them in the AC module), can skip random features like sequential turn indicators etc, ok with a limited ADAS suite, if in exchange i get a tight well built skoda, with premium materials in the interior, a functional AC and a banging sound system.

Wishlist:

Must have:

1. 360 camera.
2. 360 sensors.
3. Better quality cameras.
4. Adaptive Cruise control.
5. Better cabin and hood insulation.
6. Soft touch materials on the dash, better quality buttons & plastics, reduced rattle noise.
7. Electronic Parking brake.
8. Redesigned front headlamps and grill.

Good to have:

1. 10 inch instrument cluster (From Kodiaq, Tiguan etc).
2. Slightly lowered ground clearance on sports variants.
3. Bigger wheels.
4. Integrated HUD.
5. Keyless entry with proximity sensors.
6. USB ports for front and rear dashcam.

Dream:

1. Panoramic sunroof.
2. Mild hybrid setup.
3. Torque Converter Option for 1.5L engine.

Delusional or out of my mind:

1. Octavia like notchback design.
2. Slightly wider body frame.

More spy shots of the updated Skoda Slavia emerge:

Source - Caradvice.in













Is it just me or does it seem like the car has been lowered?

I feel it's lowered.

The DRLs on the headlamps is now on the top and not the bottom like in the exisint model.

Definitely lowered and if it comes with ADAS level II - it will be a terrific buy.
Hightime VW Skoda added ADAS 2 to their entire fleet.
Next they need to start working on Hybrid addition.

I think the car looks lower because of full load at the rear. The gap between the front tyre and wheel arch seems to be similar to the current car. Though I prefer the lower stance, I don't think Skoda would be going for it, at the expense of practicality (considering our roads)

Skoda needs to make the front design like the Scala in Europe. That would make it a lot better from the front, even better than the current Virtus.


Picture: Skoda Scala

Skoda Slavia and VW Virtus were always good looking cars. Slavia being a bit sophisticated, while the Virtus being a bit more sporty looking.
Hope the interior plastic quality improves with its facelift (hope it makes less squeaks) and yes, addition of features will always be welcome :)

Also the VW Taigun and Skoda Kushaq should get a facelift, hence updating the styling to the European Specification of the two.

It could just be the angle of which the photo was taken, but the facelift does look lowered at the rear. Much easier on the eye in my opinion.

I have a fairly straight forward wish list from the facelift,

1. A "good" 360 camera
2. Plusher interiors
3. Full digital cockpit not the half assed now available now

A higher tune R version with 175 hp, 17 inch wheels and lowered stance please :D

Also, considering we are seeing test mules now any idea if this likely to be launched this year or next year?

The only two wishes from the facelift:
1) Strong AC.
2) Non-squeaky interiors.
Otherwise, it is a good car with good variant spread now that the Ambition gets the 1.5 TSi too.