[ajmat]

Originally Posted by speedzak

But the OHC was expensive to make than the NHC!

Not exactly - OHC was unique to SE Asia so numbers not that many. NHC based on the Honda Jazz. This means huge economies of scale meaning lower costs of components

[spadival]

Originally Posted by Insane Devil

Why have ppl here started comparing the Laura with a mere CIVIC! this is so absurbd imho!

they are classes apart, technology apart, luxuries apart!

Class apart ..in India only..remember Laura is a Octovia everywhere else..we Indians are the biggest suckers ..IMHO

[lurker]

Gentle folks, I just had one of those ...'ahh moments' as I watched the ticker on CNBC that 'Volkswagen was contemplating acquisition of land in India within the week' and that 'Volkswagen was planning to introduce small cars and midsize cars in India and also planning to export certain version to China and other markets in Southeast Asia from its Indian plant as well'.

This news along with the realization that Skoda has delayed launching the Fabia by what is until today 4 years

And combined with the fact that their next launch is most likely going to be the Roomster or the 4X4 Octavia and probably the Yeti during 2008.

Realization suddenly dawned on me that Skoda don't intend to nor do they have the permission to launch the Fabia in India at all, because that is exactly the space Volkswagen intends to occupy.

The Superb/Laura/Roomster etc are the full-size and the varients that VW always intended to launch in India as 'higher-end' cars because in a certain sense they were higher-end but they were also low-priced higher end varients.

Obviously the mandarins at Volkswagen felt these were what the Indian customers burdened under the archaic tax-systems could actually afford in large numbers.

So in my humble opinion the strategy of Volkswagen is for Skoda to be the player in the "Higher-Segment but sensibly priced" cars and for Volkswagen to be in the mass-market car for the people and be the larger players.

Which means that they never intended to launch the Fabia in India.

[unknown]

Any update on Octavia facelift ?

[theMAG]

Originally Posted by unknown

Any update on Octavia facelift ?

Yes - they lifted its face so well that it looks 5 years younger - like a 2002-2006 model instead of the 2007 model it really is

[unknown]

Originally Posted by theMAG

Yes - they lifted its face so well that it looks 5 years younger - like a 2002-2006 model instead of the 2007 model it really is

Lol...So when it's coming ?

[Vid6639]

Laura Elegance model launched. 14.3L ex showroom tag. It's a stripped down model.

[maxbhp]

Originally Posted by vid6639

Laura Elegance model launched. 14.3L ex showroom tag. It's a stripped down model.

Similarly rider version may come soon for around 13 lacs, Yummy.....yummy...slurp ...slurp !

[shuvd]

Nice news indeed! But, I'm waiting for the stripped/fully equipped 2.0TDi PD. Guys, that's 170Bhp diesel monster!! Any idea when they are going to launch the 2l version?

[BUSA]

That version is going to be called the RS and its going to be launched around June AFAIK

[Ricky_63]

Thanks for the G R E A T news on the Octavia 2.0 TDi ........my day is made. Haven't heard much about this in the media - guess they want to do it stealthily, who cares as song as it happens !!

Cheers

Great news...as long as it happens, what might it be priced at ? Any guesses....

Slurp slurp....imagine what Pete's tunign could do to a 170 Bhp diesel. WOW

[shuvd]

Thanks Busa. Just got a call from the dealer confirming the same. He said around June/July and yummy pricing. At last, a new car (under 20lks) I'm looking forward to.

[BUSA]

Your welcome.

With a Tunning box we could see that figure of 170bhp reach around say 200bhp and with a remap around 220bhp and not to forget the mind blowing torque.

@ Shuvd - What price did the dealer quote and what features are expected?? I think 17inch wheels, body kit are some thing which the RS sports.

[GTO]

At last, a new car (under 20lks) I'm looking forward to.

Come on, Shuvd...there always was the RS.

With a Tunning box we could see that figure of 170bhp reach around say 200bhp and with a remap around 220bhp and not to forget the mind blowing torque.

170BHP may be good and very efficient / torquey / fast. But a fast diesel just cannot be as satisfying to drive as a fast petrol.

[tsk1979]

Originally Posted by GTO

170BHP may be good and very efficient / torquey / fast. But a fast diesel just cannot be as satisfying to drive as a fast petrol.

I guess this varies from person to person. I find the torque rush from a turbo diesel much more entertaining than the high rpm kick from a fast petrol.