Indian Autos blog

With the vRS badge suffixing the Laura, the expectations were sky high. But did the Laura vRS deliver? Let’s find out!

What powers the Laura vRS?

If you were expecting some nuclear power station under the bonnet, you will be disappointed. The Laura vRS is powered by the same 1.8L, turbocharged petrol motor that powers the normal Laura TSi. Now, you must be thinking “Oh! Then I guess the output must have been boosted”.

Eeks! I am afraid not

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After reading my first impressions about the Laura vRS, I am sure you are tempted to find out what’s in store for you on the inside. So shall we get started?

If you think that the Skoda Laura vRS does not deliver the ‘sportiness’ that you expected on the outside, well rest assured; inside of the Laura vRS delivers oodles of it. Open the driver door and you are greeted with a dual tone, part Alcantara part leather interiors which oozes sportiness.

The normal Laura gets beige and brown interiors which are a bit dull if you compare it to let’s say the Civic. The Laura vRS interiors are classy and sporty at the same time

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Most international automotive brands in the market have a performance oriented sub-brand associated with them. Examples include ‘M’ for BMW, ‘AMG’ for Mercedes, ‘Nismo’ for Nissan.

Whereas the parent brand focuses on customers, the performance sub-brand focuses on enthusiasts among those customers.

The performance brand is responsible to convert the humdrum grape juice to exotic wine that will light up the party.

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Skoda officially unveiled the performance version of its Laura brand in Delhi yesterday badged vRS. Changes are more cosmetic than mechanical on the new addition. The engine is the same 1.8 TSI unit from the regular Laura.

The vRS version differs from the regular Laura by sporting the following features

• Sporty Alcantara leather seats with vRS signature
• 3-spoke multi function steering (no audio controls on it)
• 6 speed manual transmission
• 16’ alloy wheels
• Aerodynamic rear spoiler
• Chromed dual exhaust
• Xenon curve projector headlights with dynamic leveling and corner function
• Front fog lights and LED daytime running lamps
• 4 shades – Sprint Yellow, Race Blue, Candy White and Magic Black

The car is priced at 15.49 lakh rupees (ex showroom Delhi).

The latter part of the event took place in an open ground where the media was given an opportunity to be driven, yes, ‘driven’ in the car for about two minutes by professional racing drivers. We would have loved to get behind the wheel to experience the car first hand but due to the large number of attendees, the process would have been cumbersome.

• Skoda said that the reason they did not bring the 2.0 L version into India (European spec vRS) is because the 2.0 L runs on 95 Octane petrol which is not easily available in India. The cost of the 2.0 L would have been much higher killing the price competitiveness.
• The company has no plans to bring the vRS diesel in India which again is available in the European markets.
• The red color popular with the Octavia in India has not been brought for the time being as market research shows that consumer preferences have changed with time.
• The company is not looking for big numbers with the car as its more of a collectors item or enthusiast’s toy.
• The car carries a racing heritage and is targeted for the young performance enthusiast who wants an affordable and practical car.

The Laura vRS is not a mass market car. For those who are looking for a spirited drive under 20 lakh rupees, it fits the bill perfectly.

In this IndianAutosBlog.com discussion video, I ask you which of the six launches I’m speaking about (Safari Merlin being the speculated 7th) is the hottest launch this festive season. Which one of the following six launches do you think is the hottest and why? Are you planning to buy any one of these six vehicles this Diwali?

Watch the video to know my views on each product and choose your favorite. Put your pick in the comment box below (click Read More to see it) and crucially tell me why.

• Skoda Laura vRS
• Mercedes C-Class
• Etios Twins Diesel
• Tata Safari Merlin (speculative)
• Mahindra W201
• mini Xylo
• Honda Brio

Based on the response to this experimental video, IAB will decide how frequently we conduct discussions video posts with its readers. Your view and comment counts!

click Read More to head to post page to register your comment.

An IndianAutosBlog.com reader from Mumbai has just sent us these two snaps of a yellow Skoda Laura vRS from outside a supermarket in central Mumbai. The Laura vRS caught here has no camouflage, but it is a new vehicle probably registered to Skoda Auto.

Skoda bought the vRS model to the Auto Expo last year (branded Octavia RS) in the same shade.

The company will launch the Laura vRS on the 31st of this month but with sales of petrol cars falling, how many can Skoda sell?

We are unsure about the car’s technical specifications. Stay tuned to IAB for more updates on this blog post.

In case you missed out our earlier updates on the sideblog, the facelifted Skoda Laura will be announced today evening for India in Mumbai. Isn’t it a delightful coincidence to see Skoda releasing its Octavia (Laura) vRS images for the viewers of IAB?

Skoda just sent us a packet of new, never before seen hi-res images of the Skoda Octavia vRS. The front fascia of the car has been revamped and so are the taillights and the chassis. The model was announced internationally last month.

The vRS contains either a a 2.0-liter TSI petrol unit with 200HP or a 2.0-liter TDI diesel producing 170HP under its bonnet. This vRS model according to our sources will be shipped to India later this year. But for now, you need to be in the U.K to buy this one.