Skoda Slavia Spied With Emission Testing Equipment – CNG Option Coming Soon? | V3Cars

Are Skoda Testing Slavia CNG?

A few weeks after Skoda India confirmed a B2-segment SUV as part of their ‘India 2.5’ growth strategy, the Slavia was spied testing with emission testing equipment strapped to its boot. The spy shots do not reveal any clue about the engine powering the test mule. For all we know, Skoda are conducting a routine test of their 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engines.

However, considering the Slavia’s predecessor, the Rapid, was spied with a CNG powertrain just before its discontinuation, Skoda could be revisiting their option of introducing CNG option for the Slavia, Kushaq as well as the upcoming Maruti Brezza and Tata Nexon rival.

Sales of CNG cars have risen significantly in the last few years. 10.9% of all passenger cars sold in 2023 were equipped with a CNG engine. In fact, if we look at Tata Motors, CNG penetration stands at over 40% for the Altroz, 55% for the Tigor and 20% for the Tiago.

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Currently in the C-sedan segment, no cars offer the option of a CNG powertrain. However, in the C-SUV segment, the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder offer the option of a CNG powertrain. If Skoda are indeed developing a new CNG powertrain, they could take on the Maruti and Toyota CNG SUVs with the Kushaq CNG and gain a first-mover advantage in the C-sedan segment with the Slavia CNG. 

Meanwhile, Skoda’s upcoming B2-segment SUV could take on other CNG SUVs like the Maruti Suzuki Brezza and Fronx as well as the upcoming Tata Nexon CNG, which was showcased recently.

Fun Fact: The upcoming Tata Nexon CNG is the first car to feature a turbocharged CNG engine. 

If Skoda launch the Slavia CNG, it could become the second CNG engine in the country to feature turbocharging. But despite the forced induction, expect the Slavia CNG to produce less power and torque than the Slavia 1.0L turbo-petrol, which puts out 115PS of power and 178Nm of torque.

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