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Skoda Laura launched in India

Take a look at the photos below. The Skoda laura is all that your favourite Skoda Octavia is, and more. And now its here in India.

28 December, 2005
MUMBAI, INDIA

We are not really sure is this is the car Skoda should have launched in India at this moment. The D-segment is not where the big money really is, but then yu only have to sell a few cars, and that probably influenced Skoda India's decision. Anyway, the Skoda Laura is here - it is all-diesel, and quite luxurius, and intends to capture a but of the Honda Accord - Toyota Camry market. 

Price of the Skoda Laura will be 16,81,081 (ex-showroom Delhi) and on the road, it could well be Rs 18-18.5 lakhs. That price is a wee bit too high, we feel. But then its diesel, and does diesel matter for those who can afford a Rs 18 lakh car? Who knows.

What we do know is that as a car, it excels. It is larger in length, width and height than the Skoda Octavia (which will continue to be sold in India in all its current versions). You have the same familiar Skoda grill, bonnet, tail, lights - but they all look much more brushed clean and pepped up in the Skoda Laura. Basically, an Octavia that has grown up and is wearing Armani.

You have the same excellent fit and finish of the Skoda Octavia in the Laura too. Built on the Audi A5 platform, the Skoda Laura develops 104 bhp and 25,49 kgm of torque. The Laura has variable vane turbochargers and this is supposed to help make it quite tractable even at low RPMs. Don't ask me what they are - I don't know. They do their job well, and that's what matters!

What else? The Skoda Laura has disc brakes all around, Electronic stability control, parktronic sensors, rain sensors - the goodies to take the fight to the Honda Accord camp. 

We have heard that the diesel engine of the Skoda Laura clatters a fair bit, if you are outside the car. Shall fid out more soon, we promise.

We still wish that it was the Skoda Fabia that was launched instead of the Laura. Perhaps the Fabia is going to be a much more high profile launch considering that it will be a middle class car that can really boost the company, and the Laura is useful for Skoda to enhance its brand image in India. Hold your horses and feast on the photos, and pray the Fabia lands up in our showrooms fast!