Since its Skoda launch in 2005, the Skoda Laura only came with diesel power. Its punchy, well-organized Pumpe-Duse motor drew in diesel lovers, but petrol buyers were denied absolute. We had our first test drive of Skoda’sface-lifted Laura powered by the 1.8 TSI turbo-petrol engines that debuted in India on the new Superb, it is available at 12.6 lakh and Rs 17.15 lakh, ex-showroom Maharashtra.
The TSI takes petrol engine technology a step ahead, introducing direct-injection and turbo-charging to this class. The result is a speed that’s almost impossible to fault. It’s amazingly refined and smooth in every facade of recital. From the ultra-smooth idle, there’s a teeny bit of turbo-lag, but once the turbo starts spinning there’s no holding this engine back.
The first engine alternative is the 1.8 TSI petrol that also does duty in the Skoda Superb. Capable of generating a160 BHP and 250Nm of torque, this engine is really a refined piece of work and will do marvels for those who are performance oriented and still want mileage. The 1.8TSI will most probably be mated to a 6 speed manual gearbox, which goes to show the sporty nature that this car will possess.
Mash the accelerator for an inhalation of full-weary acceleration and the Laura bursts off the blocks, tyres revolving and the Speedo needle sweeping forward speedily. Sixty comes up in 3.8 seconds, 100kph in 8.1 and by the time you count 18, the car is already precedent 150kph. In-gear acceleration is also ballistic.
The key to the Laura’s phenomenal pulling authority is the fact that it makes its peak torque of 25.5kgm from an ludicrously low 1500rpm. This allows you to drive the car in city traffic without having to difficulty too much about lag, as the car is pulled forward without drama. Of course, if you want to dash ahead, just go down the ’box. Unfortunately, the six-speed ’box is a bit notch, needing additional effort and concentration to niche in.
The face-lift has emboldened the Laura with larger headlamps stretched over the face of the car, a wider fan-shaped grille and a correspondingly larger air inlet in the chin. The Laura now looks more like a scaled-down Superb than an overgrown Octavia. The tail-lights are changed too but from the nurture, it doesn’t look much different.
There is no doubt that Skoda is going all out to make their bestseller even better value for money, and judging by the engine line up, the rivalry had better pull up their socks and get operational on how to take on Skoda, who suddenly seem to have jumped into top gear
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