Skoda Kushaq and Slavia 1.5L Manual Versions Axed

The driving enthusiasts will surely not appreciate this latest decision from the Czech carmaker

The manual transmission variants of the Skoda Kushaq and Slavia have been discontinued. Now, the buyers can only opt for a sole 7-speed DSG gearbox with this engine. Note that the manual transmission will still be available with the smaller 1.0-litre TSI turbo petrol mill. Kushaq and Slavia have been instrumental in Skoda’s massive success in the last few years. In fact, they have made India the biggest market for Skoda outside Europe. The heavily localized MQB A0 IN platform has changed the fortunes of Skoda and VW in India. Going forward, the Kylaq compact SUV will also most likely use this architecture to offer competitive pricing.

Skoda Kushaq and Slavia 1.5L Manual Trims Discontinued

It is hard to guess the exact reason for this decision. Perhaps, Skoda wanted to keep the profit margins high by forcing people to opt for the more expensive automatic trims with the larger engines of the Kushaq and Slavia. Sure, the famed DSG transmission is an iconic gearbox and popular around the globe. However, as we know, driving enthusiasts and purists always prefer manual gearboxes as they get to have complete control over the diving operation under all circumstances. Hence, it will be interesting to see what kind of impact this step will have on the sales of the two cars.

Both Skoda Kushaq and Slavia continue to share the powertrain and transmission alternatives. They come with a 1.0-litre TSI turbo petrol mill which generates a healthy 115 hp and 178 Nm of peak power and torque. Buyers can choose between either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission. Apart from that, the larger 1.5-litre EVO turbo petrol engine outputs a significant 150 hp and 250 Nm of peak power and torque. This engine can now only be paired with a 7-speed DSG transmission. The Kushaq ranges from Rs 10.89 lakh to Rs 18.79 lakh, while the Slavia retails between Rs 10.69 lakh and Rs 18.69 lakh, ex-showroom.

SpecsSkoda Kushaq (1.0)Skoda Kushaq (1.5)Engine1.0-litre TSI Turbo Petrol1.5-litre EVO Turbo PetrolPower115 PS150 PSTorque178 Nm250 NmTransmission6MT / 6AT7DSGSpecs

Skoda Slavia

Our View

It will be exciting to see how well the customers react to this decision. Most car buyers today prefer the convenience of automatic transmissions. That is the reason why even low-budget cars get the option of some sort of automatic gearbox these days. In that regard, it makes sense since people were perhaps already opting for the automatic trim with this engine option. But the niche car enthusiasts who revere manual transmission will be left with no option henceforth. Let us see how big of an impact this makes on the overall sales. I feel Skoda would’ve taken this decision only after evaluating the potential consequences on the sales.

Also Read: Skoda Kushaq and Slavia Now More Affordable – Get New Trim Nomenclature