Skoda Slavia CNG Spied Or New Engine Emission Testing?

 

Riding on the wave of success generated by India 2.0 strategy, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India has spawned four vehicles, 2 for Skoda and 2 for Volkswagen. However, the company is already hatching India 2.5 strategy. India 2.5 is expected to hold a lot more significance with a new sub 4m SUV. But is CNG a part of India 2.5 strategy?

Skoda Slavia CNG Spied

Yep, you read that right. The company’s new India 2.5 strategy might include a CNG vehicle. Automotive enthusiast Abhimanyu Komawar spotted a Skoda Slavia test mule with emission testing equipment. This could very well be just a routine testing for current generation of 1.0 TSI and 1.5 TSI engines. Conversely speaking, this may be more than that. Considering Skoda had confirmed CNG powertrain development with the now-discontinued Rapid. There were many test mules of Rapid CNG spotted as well. Slavia is the spiritual successor of Rapid and the project might have seen the light of day.

Once considered a poor man’s solution, CNG powertrains can be a genuine alternative to diesel fuel with proper design and implementation. Tata Motors’ dual tank CNG portfolio is a stellar example of this idea. Skoda might have spotted a demographic where lower running costs of a CNG could expand sales potential.

If true, it will be offered with the smaller 3-cylinder 1.0L TSI engine. There may be a demographic for CNG variant of Slavia or Virtus in global markets like South Africa or Latin countries.