[GTO]

The road trip to Panchgani was much looked forward to because it was one of the few all-diesel highway brigades. Somehow we always end up taking atleast one petrol but the dash to Panchgani was only with the C220 and Laura, and I was really excited to check the latter out over a 700km round trip. Of particular mention are the fantastic roads which make this the best driving destination from Mumbai. They have opened up even more fresh road sections which lead to 90% of the drive being on a 4 lane highway. Not a single pothole or unmarked speedbreaker...long empty stretches surrounded by eye-stopping scenery.

Expectedly the 6-speed DSG gearbox is fabulous....and is an entirely different league. The gear shifts are faster than what even Schumacher can manage with a regular manual, and the shift itself is so smooth that you would think its a CVT. Literally - You cannot tell the shifts at all! The slushbox is superior to any I have driven in the past...and that includes certain models of Merc S-Class'. But the DSG is still not my cuppa coffee. I just could not get the hang of manual mode and left it in "D" or "S" (automatic) most of the time. The trouble is that I would want a downshift sometime but the ECM would think otherwise (excessive RPM post downshift). But then I - as a hardcore enthusiast - am not the target market for the DSG. For a slushbox lover, DSG is the only way to go. Buttttttttttttt I would rather decide on the shift myself than a computer taking that call for me.

Unfortunately the engine is too modest for such a fabulous transmission. Though the DSG makes optimal use of each horse from the Lauras 1.9 diesel, it cannot disguise the engines limitations. Within the city and at speeds below a 100, the Laura has adequate power. But it runs out of breath way too fast. Top whack may be close to 200, but the Laura has no steam beyond 160. I can understand diesel economy and all that, but a car of this price ought to have more than just a 104 BHP.

As always, german chassis' impress. The Lauras ride quality is far out and takes in most of Indias terrible roads without letting a jitter go by to the occupants. Handling was fair composed at all times, but I found the Laura understeering earlier than one would expect.

Of particular mention are the small nifty touches (dont you just love attention to detail!!) and the Laura has plenty of those. For e.g. upon using the windscreen wash function, the wiper automatically does one sweep after 5 seconds to take away any remaining drops of fluid.

Another skull arrives for Skodas after-sales service with another unhappy customer. This Laura was picked from Autobahn and the owner couldnt find enough &^*&%*&^% for the service advisors. Even in terms of manufacturer support, there is shortage of parts supplies. Case in point is the drivers seat motors failing about a month back leading to it being stuck in one (and a highly uncomfortable position). The parts are yet awaited. On a previous instance, the horns had failed and they took about 10 days to arrive and be replaced.

Do I still think that the Laura is over-priced? You bet. Gizmos dont make a car and at a 19 lakh on-the-road Mumbai price tag the Laura needs more size, power and a better identity (but then, it is an Octavia). As a car, its fantastic. Butttttttttttttt the price tag stays unjustified.