[KarthikK]

Earlier this month, Skoda conducted a track day experience event at Buddh International Circuit to showcase Skoda Slavia Monte Carlo Edition and introduce the Sportline trim in the Slavia and the Skoda Kushaq. This is not intended to be a review of the Slavia - for full review of the Skoda Slavia please visit this thread (Skoda Slavia Review). This report is intended to be a write-up on the entire track day experience with the Slavia, and of course, it highlights the features which distinguish the Slavia Monte Carlo and the Sportline trims from the existing variants of the cars.


Image courtesy - Skoda India

The launch of the Skoda Slavia Monte Carlo and Sportline trims at Buddh International circuit. This was the briefing and launch area just before the event started:




The event encompassed an official launch event led by Jakob Musil from Skoda India, followed by a track session and a handling course at the BIC track where we were encouraged to try out the Slavia's driving characteristics and dynamics on the track. The handling course featured a slalom course, dynamics testing course and a moose test which showcased the handling, braking and stability levels of the Slavia.

The event started with the official launch of the Slavia Monte Carlo Edition, with Jakob explaining the features of the Monte Carlo, and the history of Skoda's motorsport association with the Monte Carlo rallies from almost 90 years ago:


Some of the highlights of the Skoda Slavia Monte Carlo edition. As can be seen from the feature list, the Monte Carlo Edition was primarily a cosmetic facelift and this (as well as the Sportline trim) does not differ from the regular Slavia in performance or specifications in any way:


Legacy wall outlining Skoda's achievements at the Monte Carlo rallies over the years:




After the announcement of the Slavia Monte Carlo Edition, Jakob moved on to announce the Sportline trim features and differences between the Slavia and Kushaq Sportline trims:


The Slavia and Kushaq Monte Carlo and Sportline Editions are priced as follows:


Peeking out of one of the balconies at BIC from the pitlane area:




The cars were being prepared for the track session later in the day:


Accomplished racer Rayomand Banajee took over after the launch announcements were completed and we were soon briefed on the itinerary for the day, which was basically to have a lot of fun on the Buddh track with multiple laps on board the Slavia Monte Carlo, followed by a few demonstrations of the car's dynamics on what was called the 'handling course' outside the track:


Post the briefing session, we were paired up with individual instructors and cars (all Slavia Monte Carlos obviously). All the instructors for the day were accomplished young racers with considerable experience in karting championships, VW Polo Cup and similar events. My instructor happened to be ex-VW Polo Cup champion Dhruv Chavan. This was my Slavia being prepared to hit the track with Dhruv as my co-pilot:




Meanwhile, there were other Slavias being driven on the track and the event was very well organized to ensure sufficient spacing between different media cars to avoid being hindered by or hustled by other cars on the track:

[KarthikK]

Track driving experience of the Skoda Slavia Monte Carlo

All the participants and their respective paired instructors were handed helmets and once we were seated in our cars, we made our way through the pit lane to await our sequence of departing the pits onto the track. Here is a shot of my assigned car - a Slavia Monte Carlo 1.5 TSi awaiting my turn to depart the pits:


The first lap was done in recce mode with my instructor Dhruv at the wheel for me to familiarize myself with the track layout, and nail my entry and exit lines on my hot laps the next few times around. I had attached my GoPro action camera on the windshield to silently capture all the track action in the background, while I could purely focus on having fun trying to go faster on every successive lap around BIC:


After the first recce lap, I was behind the wheel and we did quite a few spirited laps with me improving my pace on every lap thanks to Dhruv's constant inputs edging me to go faster and tackle the apex lines better and better every time I hit the same corners on successive laps.

The Slavia is a pretty well-sorted package dynamics-wise. The handling was very predictable around corners and the high-speed composure was impressive and reassuring, to say the least. There was a wee bit of body roll when cornering aggressively, but do note this was on a track with high cornering speeds. Out on public roads, the body roll levels should be much less noticeable and well-controlled for city and highway usage. The ride quality was quite impressive and the suspension soaked up bumps effortlessly. While this is not indicative of the real-world ride quality (please check the main Slavia review for that), it was more from the point of view of the car riding over the curbs when cornering.



The steering was light and very easy to hold and turn. It weighed up nicely as the car started to gain speed, but the feedback was typically vague like many EPS setups today. It could have been much better.

The peppy nature and strong pull of the 1.5 TSi engine that powered my car, coupled with the quick and intuitive gear shifts of the 7-speed DSG transmission ensured quick recovery of pace as we decelerated and accelerated around the high-speed curves as well as technical sections of the Buddh circuit's twisties and chicanes. This (powertrain) is one of the strongest points of this car and remains among the best in the entire segment.

The ergonomics and equipment levels are all very nicely tuned to suit a wide array of audience preferences. I was certainly quite happy with the entire ergonomics package for a tall driver (I am 6'1"). The way all the controls and levers fell to hand effortlessly, made me feel at home in no time.

Two aspects that could have been improved:

1. The brake feel and bite levels felt excellent on the track in the first few laps, but after 4-5 laps I felt the bite levels started dipping over subsequent hard-driving laps, possibly due to brake fade after aggressive driving. This might not be a factor in regular city or highway usage, but out on the track, I felt the brake setup can be improved. What was also not reassuring was the fact that the Slavia still runs a drum brake setup at the rear in lieu of discs.

2. The other aspect is the sub-par grip levels with the Ceat SecuraDrive tyres which the Slavia comes shod with. The tyres felt a bit lackadaisical around the track and grip levels were strictly average when cornering aggressively. However, for road usage, these should last long and compensate (for the lack of outright grip) with better life and ruggedness, which is what is more important in real-world usage on Indian roads.

Here are some assorted shots from onboard the Slavia around the Buddh International Circuit:










Post this track driving session, we headed to the next part of the drive experience event - what Skoda called the 'Handling Test'. This part of the event was set on a flat tarmac patch next to the BIC parking area, with 3 parts - a Slalom course, an Autocross and a Moose Test.

For those not aware, a slalom test consists of rapid zig-zag swerves around cones placed on a straight road, to demonstrate the vehicle's stability and composure when making rapid lane/direction changes.

The Slavia lining up for the Slalom course:






Post the slalom course, we entered the autocross circuit with extremely tight turns carved out by strategically placed cones. This was again done to show the Slavia's handling and dynamics package when subjected to a series of rapid direction changes:


After the autocross course, the third and final part of the Handling Test course was the Moose Test (one can call it the stray dog or cow test in India ). This course involved needing to accelerate on a 'centre lane' to a reasonably high speed on a straight, and there was a series of cones placed to indicate the left and right lanes. A volunteer would randomly pick either left or right lane at the end of the accelerating straight, and the driver had to rapidly brake, steer and get out of the middle (existing) lane and onto the lane which the volunteer signaled towards, whilst ensuring not to topple any of the cones. This was done to simulate a condition where an obstacle (such as a stray animal) appears suddenly in the path and the driver is forced to make an evasive maneuver and reactive direction switch rapidly towards the lane which is clear to go.

Illustrative image:

Image courtesy - Skoda

Onboard the Slavia taking the Moose Test. The central path flanked by yellow cones was the acceleration stretch, followed by a rapid braking and direction switch to either left or right trails marked by the orange trails:

[KarthikK]

Skoda Slavia Monte Carlo - A Close Look

Post the track laps and handling test driving sessions, it was time to check out the Slavia Monte Carlo in detail to understand the exact differences vis-a-vis the existing Slavia variants. Skoda had placed a few cars in the pit lane to showcase the Monte Carlo and Sportline variants.

The Monte Carlo Edition comes in an exclusive red colour with tastefully done black accents to add contrast to the bold red paint. I am given to understand that the Monte Carlo edition will also be available in a white colour in future:


The Monte Carlo Edition gets a blacked out radiator grille:


There are also darkened headlamps, black accents and elements around the air dam such as the fog lamp garnish and front bumper lip:


I felt the fog lamp garnish was a tad unnecessary. It looks out of place and overdone:


R16 black alloy wheels come standard on the Monte Carlo:


Monte Carlo badging on the front fenders:


Black mirrors add to the aesthetics:


The Slavia comes shod with Ceat's SecuraDrive tyres as stock:


Moving over to the side, the red and black contrast appears nice with the B-pillars in black:


The blackened side skirt accents:


Moving over to the rear, there are many minor cosmetic enhancements, mostly done with blackened elements. Here is a shot of the blackened tail-lamps, black badging, spoiler and diffuser:


The black lip spoiler is a nice touch:


The rear faux diffuser:




The make, model and the variant badging is finished in black:




The roof is black and gets an integrated sunroof:


"Monte Carlo" branded scuff plates at the front:


The Monte Carlo edition gets red and black dual-tone leatherette interiors with electrically adjustable front seats. There is red stitching on the armrest and doorpads:


The two-spoke steering wheel is carried over from the regular Slavia, but comes with red stitching. This, coupled with the red accents gives a nice overall feel to the entire cockpit:




Notice the Monte Carlo embossing on the front headrests:


Red accents add a nice contrast to the otherwise monotonous black dashboard:


Aluminium A & B pedals add a sporty touch to the interiors. They feel premium and built to last:


Overall look and feel of the cockpit is impressive:


The rear seats also carry the same red and black theme:


Summing up things, the Skoda Slavia Monte Carlo is a good-looking sporty sedan, especially when complemented by the capable 1.5 TSi mill and DSG package.

[KarthikK]

Skoda Slavia Sportline and Skoda Kushaq Sportline - A Close Look

Also on display at this launch event, were the Skoda Slavia and Kushaq Sportline dual-tone colour variants. While the Sportline does not get all of the black accents and the sporty red and black theme on the inside, it does get a few blackened cosmetic enhancements to increase the sporty look on the outside and inside. Here is a Slavia Sportline in Lava Blue:


The obvious differences, which are now blackened compared to the old Slavia in Lava Blue - the mirror caps, the wheels and radiator grille with fog lamp garnish:








The Sportline variants get this badging on the front fenders, similar to the Monte Carlo Edition badging:


The rear has similar black badging and a black lip spoiler and diffuser:


The interiors of the Sportline variant have very subtle differences compared to the Signature and Prestige variants with some black console elements added:


Kushaq also now gets a Sportline variant with similar black aesthetic elements:


Black radiator grille:


Blackened badging, tail-lamps and accents:


Black roof with a sunroof:


The Sportline trim gets 17" black alloy wheels and black plastic cladding on the sides and wheel arches:




Black mirror covers as on the Slavia Sportline:


The Kushaq Sportline gets a differentiated interior theme with these orange and grey dual stripes running along the length of the seats. Notice the sporty aluminium A, B & C pedals:


Disclaimer: Skoda invited Team-BHP for this Track day and launch event of the Slavia Monte Carlo, Slavia Sportline and Kushaq Sportline. They covered all the travel expenses for this trip.

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[swiftnfurious]

Monte Carlo edition is almost 2L extra (Slavia) just for cosmetic stuff? While it does look cool, looks like a lost case. Was hoping it'll have some extra features / specifications in addition.

[sachin_cs]

The Sportline can be bought in red too, if I were to buy one, I would happily buy a Red Sportline over the Monte Carlo and save 2L. What I would miss are not deal breakers - ventilated seats (fabric does the job for me and the ventilation is just on the front seats, the rear occupants anyway feel the heat in faux leather) , electric seats, black interior (not a big fan), subwoofer.

Surprisingly, the cost difference between Slavia-Kushaq Sportline is high while not so much in the Monte Carlo variants of the Slavia & Kushaq. I don’t get the rationale behind such differences in pricing of the sportline variants.





Anyways, I’m happy to see Skoda finally introduce the Monte Carlo Variant on the Slavia, it looks gorgeous.

I mean, look at this! who would not want a sexy red sedan on his/her garage?

[SuhasSalavathsa]

The lineup looks pretty promising. The looks are fantastic and aggressive, Skoda have really given a come back with these models.

[harishpr]

Only in India, Stickering Jobs will pass as Race line or special edition. Reminds me of 40+ variants of Safari.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Excellent report Karthik.

I wonder why Skoda had to do this at Buddh, considering it is just a cosmetic variant!

Originally Posted by sachin_cs

The Sportline can be bought in red too, if I were to buy one, I would happily buy a Red Sportline over the Monte Carlo and save 2L.

I opened this report to see the Monte Carlo, but frankly I'm drooling at the Lava Blue Sportline more - now that looks business!