- News
- Cars
- Bikes
- Features
- Motorsport
- Tuned
- GBNF
- Tried and Tested
- Tech
- Magazine
- About UsAbout Us
As far as special variants of C-segment cars go, the Monte Carlo treatment given to the Kushaq has always topped my list. The black contrast against the red and white works brilliantly to enhance its design. Its sedan counterpart has had to wait a good two years to receive the same updates, but it has finally arrived. Sedans have been falling out of favour with Indian buyers for some time now, so full marks to Skoda for pulling out all the stops to inject some energy into the segment with the launch of the Monte Carlo. They didn’t just launch the variant; they booked the Buddh International Circuit, giving us the chance to go full sends in the Slavia. Should the Hyundai Verna, Honda City, VW Virtus, and the long-in-the-tooth Maruti Suzuki Ciaz be worried?
To my eyes, the Slavia is the most attractive design in this segment, and with the Monte Carlo variant, it looks more youthful than ever. The sporty styling closely mirrors that of the Kushaq Monte Carlo. The entire car undergoes a chrome delete, with every component that sports chrome on other variants receiving a black treatment. The grille surrounds, black inserts on the bumper, side skirts, wing mirrors, and even the black roof all contribute to a sportier look for the Slavia. Like the Kushaq, the Slavia also gets Monte Carlo badges on the front fenders. The alloy wheels are painted black, but unlike the Kushaq, the design remains the same as other variants of the Slavia, rather than featuring the Octavia RS-inspired upsized dual-tone rims. Additionally, the Slavia does not receive red-painted brake callipers. The rear badges are painted black, and there’s a black lip spoiler and black diffuser as well. A surprise at the launch of the Slavia Monte Carlo was the introduction of a lower-spec Sportline variant in both the Kushaq and Slavia, which also receives the black treatment but is available in all colours other than red and white.
The Sportline variants of the Slavia and Kushaq receive different fabric seat upholstery, though the aluminium pedals from the Monte Carlo are carried over. However, the digital instrument cluster is not included, with the Sportline models featuring analogue units instead. Now that the changes in the Sportline models are covered, let’s look at what the Monte Carlo offers on the inside. The digital cluster, as mentioned earlier, receives a red colour treatment, which complements the car's interior theme. The dashboard features piano black and red inserts, the doors have red top stitching, and the seats are covered in black and red leatherette. Additionally, the front seats in the Monte Carlo variant come with cooling functions. The headrests are embossed with the Monte Carlo logo, enhancing the premium feel of the interior.
The Slavia Monte Carlo is available with the 1-litre TSI in both manual and automatic transmissions, as well as the 1.5 TSI with a DSG gearbox. The 1-litre TSI produces 113bhp and 175Nm of torque, while the 1.5 TSI generates 148bhp and 250Nm. We had the opportunity to drive the latter around the Buddh International Circuit (BIC). We’ve always known that the Slavia is the best-handling sedan in its segment, but pushing it to the limit on a racetrack truly validated that claim. Admittedly, it’s no sports car, and on a track like the BIC, even a 150-horsepower car can feel sluggish, particularly on the two long straights. However, in every other section of the track, the 1.5 TSI Slavia demonstrated just how capable it is. On the back straight, braking hard into turn four after hitting 180kmph on the speedo, the brakes did feel a bit overwhelmed, but the gearbox didn’t—it eagerly downshifted for a high-revving run through the next set of corners. This engine and gearbox combination is the best in its segment.
Take the two long straights out of the equation, and the Slavia shows just how good a handler it is. Cars in this segment aren’t particularly sporty—they need to perform well on our road conditions and deliver good efficiency—but a good chassis is a good chassis. The MQB-A0-IN platform stands a cut above the rest. It allows for enthusiastic, at-the-limit driving at the BIC and is a lot of fun from behind the wheel when you're hunting apexes. The only drawbacks for the Slavia are the quick brake fade and the Ceat SecuraDrive tyres. However, I wouldn’t blame the brand for these, as they are segment compromises to stay competitive. The steering’s accuracy, though, allows you to place the car precisely in tight corners. Turn in late and hard after scrubbing speed, align it at the apex, and get on the gas early, and the Slavia delivers impressive performance. The light steering could use a bit more weight, and the suspension could be stiffer to reduce body roll in corners, but then again, a race track amplifies every flaw. No owner is likely to be driving a stock Slavia on a race track, so the key takeaway here is just how well it handles. The Slavia is the handling benchmark in this segment.
The Monte Carlo variant isn’t the most expensive in the Slavia line-up, sitting Rs 20,000 below the Prestige variant, yet it includes all the equipment offered in the Prestige. The 1-litre TSI with manual transmission is priced at Rs 15.79 lakh, the 1-litre AT costs Rs 16.89 lakh, and the 1.5-litre DSG is priced at Rs 18.49 lakh (ex-showroom). Should you buy one? The answer remains the same—it's the thrill-of-driving benchmark, so if you enjoy driving, the Slavia is a no-brainer in this segment. With all the cosmetic enhancements that come with the Monte Carlo, I believe it looks more attractive than ever. If you agree, then you’ve made a great choice.
