[Akshay1234]

Originally Posted by avira_tk

India is a market where you can skimp, just read your post again, the Jetta is a cheaper-to-make car than the one it replaces, it doesn't even have ACC at 25L OTR.The new car is more expensive everywhere and marks the end of Skoda as a budget brand. Unlike the Jetta, the Skoda doesn't have an American version hence the bits used are better quality and will be more expensive. Unless they reduce the kit, the product will end up being better and more expensive than the Jetta.

ACI runs issues where the cover story is Autocar rendering(photoshop job) of what the product may be like , I don't see a 1.8TSI making it here. Skoda can make the car cheaper by using the 1.6D/1.4TSI in the latest Octavia.

The gap between the diesel versions of Rapid and Laura, which are more relevant, is nearly 4L, Skoda can easily squeeze the Euro Rapid there. We will have a compact sedan with quality interiors and kit from nearly 2 segments above.

India is NOT a market where manufacturers can skimp anymore. The Jetta has got enough of flak for missing out on features like climate control, it hasn't gone unnoticed and will probably be added sometime soon if not at the facelift.

Skoda was a budget brand in India? Sorry this is news to me. Its always been considered premium. I don't know from where you made it a budget brand. Abroad yes it is a budget brand, but then so is VW.

Skoda is adding more and more kit to the Laura, I don't see them reducing kit in the Octavia. Its also known all Octavias come with stuff like a touchscreen audio system.

They may use the 1.4tsi and 1.6tdi to increase the variants, but since apparently the Laura and Octavia will co exist for some time I see them launching the higher variants first before launched lower variants with smaller engines.

The Euro rapid has kit and quality interiors from 2 segments above i.e the Superb? Have you driven the car? Because all the reviews I've read about it have said the plastics are average and so is the insulation.

There now you've got me speculating along with yourself, lets just wait for the car to come here.

[avira_tk]

Originally Posted by akshay1234

Skoda was a budget brand in India? Sorry this is news to me. Its always been considered premium. I don't know from where you made it a budget brand. Abroad yes it is a budget brand, but then so is VW.

Skoda is adding more and more kit to the Laura, I don't see them reducing kit in the Octavia. Its also known all Octavias come with stuff like a touchscreen audio system.

The Euro rapid has kit and quality interiors from 2 segments above i.e the Superb? Have you driven the car? Because all the reviews I've read about it have said the plastics are average and so is the insulation.

The Euro Rapid can be specced like the old gen Octavia L&K, it will have features from 2 segments above. Anyway Skoda is going to be positioned as a budget brand going forward, that means less kit than a comparable VW. Skoda is adding kit to keep interest in the Laura till they run out of kits, Honda had the same going on the Civic.

I haven't driven the Euro Rapid, in case you bothered to read my earlier post, the question was addressed to @dkaile, who saw the transport truck. I was asking about an opinion from an Indian perspective. The last review I read about the Octavia had the reviewer comparing it to a Golf - certainly not how an Indian buyer approaches this segment.

[Akshay1234]

Originally Posted by avira_tk

The Euro Rapid can be specced like the old gen Octavia L&K, it will have features from 2 segments above. Anyway Skoda is going to be positioned as a budget brand going forward, that means less kit than a comparable VW. Skoda is adding kit to keep interest in the Laura till they run out of kits, Honda had the same going on the Civic.

I haven't driven the Euro Rapid, in case you bothered to read my earlier post, the question was addressed to @dkaile, who saw the transport truck. I was asking about an opinion from an Indian perspective. The last review I read about the Octavia had the reviewer comparing it to a Golf - certainly not how an Indian buyer approaches this segment.

If its specced like the old gen L&K with climate control, xenons (which I don't think the Rapid offers in any case), 6 airbags, etc its definitely going to cost as much as the Laura Ambition if not more. So where will it fit into the gap between the India Rapid and Laura?

My friend, I read quoted your first post which was addressed to dkaile and asked you why you are speculating. Your recent post which says the Euro Rapid would have quality and features from 2 segments above was addressed to me. Maybe you are the one who should read your posts again.

The Octavia is compared to the Golf because both are built on the same platform, which is the MQB platform. So comparisons are bound to arise. The Golf apparently has a better feeling interior.

[avira_tk]

Originally Posted by akshay1234

If its specced like the old gen L&K with climate control, xenons (which I don't think the Rapid offers in any case), 6 airbags, etc its definitely going to cost as much as the Laura Ambition if not more. So where will it fit into the gap between the India Rapid and Laura?

My friend, I read quoted your first post which was addressed to dkaile and asked you why you are speculating. Your recent post which says the Euro Rapid would have quality and features from 2 segments above was addressed to me. Maybe you are the one who should read your posts again.

The Octavia is compared to the Golf because both are built on the same platform, which is the MQB platform. So comparisons are bound to arise. The Golf apparently has a better feeling interior.

The Rapid offers all that you mentioned, it is made for a category that is not very popular in the UK(the reviews were all from UK), but essential in emerging markets. The Laura Elegance DSG (which has some worthwhile kit) is 19.5 OTR without discounts, the Rapid tops out much below. Buying a smaller car with lots of kit is something customers do think about. The Laura L&K/Petrol Superb comparo is an example.

I'll wait for dkaile to answer, he doesn't seem to have seen the car as it was loaded inside the truck.

The platform sharing is just technical trivia, the Octavia is a hatch only on technical grounds, in all other specs its a Jetta. I don't think the Golf makes a realistic alternative.

You seem to be sure about the 1.8T AT, good luck with your plans.

[Akshay1234]

Originally Posted by avira_tk

The Rapid offers all that you mentioned, it is made for a category that is not very popular in the UK(the reviews were all from UK), but essential in emerging markets. The Laura Elegance DSG (which has some worthwhile kit) is 19.5 OTR without discounts, the Rapid tops out much below. Buying a smaller car with lots of kit is something customers do think about. The Laura L&K/Petrol Superb comparo is an example.

I'll wait for dkaile to answer, he doesn't seem to have seen the car as it was loaded inside the truck.

The platform sharing is just technical trivia, the Octavia is a hatch only on technical grounds, in all other specs its a Jetta. I don't think the Golf makes a realistic alternative.

You seem to be sure about the 1.8T AT, good luck with your plans.

Just FYI the Laura L&K hardly sells compared to the Superb.

It is a Jetta competitor, but the Jetta uses an older platform.

I'm only as sure as you are about what is going to come. The difference is I'd rather wait and see than speculate.

[Abhi_Automobile]

Originally Posted by avira_tk

India is a market where you can skimp, just read your post again, the Jetta is a cheaper-to-make car than the one it replaces, it doesn't even have ACC at 25L OTR.The new car is more expensive everywhere and marks the end of Skoda as a budget brand. Unlike the Jetta, the Skoda doesn't have an American version hence the bits used are better quality and will be more expensive. Unless they reduce the kit, the product will end up being better and more expensive than the Jetta.

ACI runs issues where the cover story is Autocar rendering(photoshop job) of what the product may be like , I don't see a 1.8TSI making it here. Skoda can make the car cheaper by using the 1.6D/1.4TSI in the latest Octavia.

The gap between the diesel versions of Rapid and Laura, which are more relevant, is nearly 4L, Skoda can easily squeeze the Euro Rapid there. We will have a compact sedan with quality interiors and kit from nearly 2 segments above.

I guess what we are trying to say here is that irrespective of what we think, Skoda has decided on the product details. Octavia replacing Laura and Rapid remaining as it is.

Just want to make sure that we all understand that 'quality' doesn't have much to with the 'kit'. The Octavia has been universally appreciated for having considerable jump in quality and decent amount of kit. That's why I am waiting for it

And Skoda stopped being a cheap, budget and somewhat downmarket brand quite a few years ago. The current Octavia, only reaffirms this change in perception. It's no longer a 'Poor man's VW'. And also it varies from car to car as well..for e.g almost everybody in Europe considers the new Golf to be a better car than the Audi A3 in every possible way

[avira_tk]

Originally Posted by Abhi_Automobile

The current Octavia, only reaffirms this change in perception. It's no longer a 'Poor man's VW'. And also it varies from car to car as well..for e.g almost everybody in Europe considers the new Golf to be a better car than the Audi A3 in every possible way

Americans are also wishing Audi, another VW brand, stopped being so obsessed with build quality, reliability is still a problem AND it's really difficult to take it apart and repair. The A2 was a nice car, my dad has been in one(older version) and was really impressed, the A3 is the automotive equivalent of bloatware. The Golf does everything much better and costs less, the A3 is meant for badge snobs.

[Abhi_Automobile]

Originally Posted by avira_tk

Americans are also wishing Audi, another VW brand, stopped being so obsessed with build quality, reliability is still a problem AND it's really difficult to take it apart and repair. The A2 was a nice car, my dad has been in one(older version) and was really impressed, the A3 is the automotive equivalent of bloatware. The Golf does everything much better and costs less, the A3 is meant for badge snobs.

I love the fact that most German (Euro?) companies are obsessed with build quality. When you sit in a Jetta and Corolla Altis, you can feel the difference, can't you? However, that's not an excuse more making non reliable cars. Are these cars really non reliable or simply a little less reliable than Jap cars? Both statements mean different things.

If it were not for these guys, the world will be filled up with functional but low quality tin cups (I am trying not to stereotype here, I mean the Civic <production stopped version> has very good quality levels for a Jap car).

[avira_tk]

Originally Posted by Abhi_Automobile

I love the fact that most German (Euro?) companies are obsessed with build quality. When you sit in a Jetta and Corolla Altis, you can feel the difference, can't you? However, that's not an excuse more making non reliable cars. Are these cars really non reliable or simply a little less reliable than Jap cars? Both statements mean different things.

If it were not for these guys, the world will be filled up with functional but low quality tin cups (I am trying not to stereotype here, I mean the Civic <production stopped version> has very good quality levels for a Jap car).

I take American reliability ratings with a pinch of salt, the "unintended acceleration" media circus around Toyota was what we would call an accident. The Germans built cars for the European tastes, the current crop of America specific cars(Jetta,Passat etc) have more in common with the 50s land yachts from the American big 3, than with any of the Euro gems like the w124.

The other thing they love is beige interiors. When Skoda does a launch here, whatever the model, that is one certainity.

PS. I like Euro build quality, I drive a Punto after all.

[vinj14]

Originally Posted by avira_tk

The Rapid offers all that you mentioned, it is made for a category that is not very popular in the UK(the reviews were all from UK), but essential in emerging markets. The Laura Elegance DSG (which has some worthwhile kit) is 19.5 OTR without discounts, the Rapid tops out much below. Buying a smaller car with lots of kit is something customers do think about.

You seem to be sure about the 1.8T AT, good luck with your plans.

Lets not bring in the rapid to this confusion. I don't think there's anything anywhere in the web to suggest that skoda is planning on the euro spec rapid for india .

My two cents.. Engine options and transmission options? Too early to tell. I also doubt they'd be selling the Laura and Octavia together. Unless they bring down the Laura prices drastically!

I think the Octavia has a lot going for it and could be a potential game changer! Hope it has the xenons and memory seats the current l&k has,that the Jetta sadly lacks! And boy I sincerely hope the 1.8 180 hp tsi makes it to our shores!

[vineethvazhayil]

Here is a review of the MQB Octavia by a Netherlands based reviewer -

2013 Octavia Video Review - Autoblogger.nl

Big praise for the practicality and interior quality of the car. Of course we have to take their comments with a pinch of salt in the Indian context in terms of engine performance and driving feel - the comparisons are with RWD German sedans.

[Nicky]

Originally Posted by vineethvazhayil

Of course we have to take their comments with a pinch of salt in the Indian context in terms of engine performance and driving feel - the comparisons are with RWD German sedans.

Good video. India will get the same engine specs and product for same driving feel or am i missing something?

[vineethvazhayil]

Originally Posted by Nicky

Good video. India will get the same engine specs and product for same driving feel or am i missing something?

We will get the same engine specs. However the reviewer talks about the engine being "ok" and the ride being "normal" etc. These folks usually review the M cars and RS cars and AMG cars, so for them a 1.8 180 bhp engine is puny. So consider his comments on the engine as not relevant .

[Abhi_Automobile]

Okay!

So, VAG has officially managed to frustrate me now.

This month edition of ACI reports that the Octavia, at the time of launch, will only come in the higher spec models (at least engine options). They report the 1.8 TSI -180bhp and 2.0 TDI - 150 bhp specifically. They inform that the current gen Laura (I think will be retain the current moniker), will continue to be sold alongside the new gen Octavia for at least one more year. Are the selling the car for another year to make sure that their kits run out. Surely not true, right?

Now, you'd ask how is that a bad thing? After all, we are getting the best engines..Right. The answer is price. I clearly remember that when the last gen was launched, Skoda had the previous gen Octavia still on sale. And thus launched the new gen car as Luara and only in top spec.

And how does that pan out with the VAG strategy of Skoda sits lower than us paradigm. Because they way I see it, if the Octavia is sold in the higher trims, it will ensure that it is costlier than the Jetta. Most importantly, if the reported launch strategy is followed, Skoda may not introduce the TDI DSG in the Ambition trim. That is the version that I am targeting

Man, I will keep my options open. Even after the Octavia is launched, I may still go and buy a Jetta.

[ajmat]

Another thing that I read was that in the UK all models except the vRS and 4wd versions will not get the rear multilink suspension.