Skoda cars have a reputation for being fun-to-drive cars, and Indian enthusiasts generally gravitate towards the Czech brand, especially in the affordable car segments. Skoda seems ready to give up some of that car enthusiast market in India by discontinuing manual transmission variants of the Kushaq 1.5 and Slavia 1.5. Going forward, the Skoda Kushaq and Slavia models powered by the 1.5 TSI turbo petrol engine (150 Bhp-250 Nm) will be available only with the 7 speed twin clutch DSG automatic gearbox option.
So, if you want a manual gearbox on an affordable Skoda car, you’ll have to choose the 1 liter TSI engined (114 Bhp-178 Nm) Kushaq and Slavia, both of which are significantly less powerful than those with the 1.5 liter motor. Alternatively, you’ll have to buy a Volkswagen Taigun 1.5 or Virtus 1.5, both of which continue to offer the 6 speed manual gearbox-1.5 TSI turbo petrol combination.
Why has Skoda discontinued the 6 speed manual gearbox from the 1.5 liter TSI turbo petrol engined Kushaq and Slavia?
Poor sales could be the most important reason. Most buyers in bigger Indian cities prefer the twin clutch DSG automatic gearbox with the 1.5 liter TSI turbo petrol engine as the gearbox offers lightning quick gearshifts and great convenience. This means that demand for the 6 speed manual gearbox-1.5 TSI combination is minimal, prompting Skoda to entirely do away with this option.
Another reason could be the recently launched MonteCarlo and Sportline trims of the Kushaq and Slavia. Skoda could be pushing customers who want a sporty car towards these trims. And both the MonteeCarlo and Sportline trims are available only with the DSG automatic gearbox.
What does Skoda’s latest move mean for the customer?
If you’re a driving enthusiast particular about buying a 6 speed manual gearbox with the 1.5 liter turbo petrol engine, buy the Volkswagen Taigun or the Virtus instead. The Taigun is essentially the Skoda Kushaq with a different top hat, and the Virtus is essentially the Skoda Slavia with a different top hat. Aside of the fact that they’re sold from Volkswagen dealerships, they’re more or less the same.
What will customers miss?
Customers who are forced to buy the DSG automatic gearbox equipped Slavia or Kushaq will miss the reliability of the 6 speed manual gearbox. While the twin clutch DQ250 DSG automatic offers very quick gearshifts – often faster than what most humans can manage – reliability remains a concern in India. The DQ250 DSG gearbox is a dry clutch unit, and is prone to failure in hot and humid Indian weather, especially if the car is subjected to heavy stop-go traffic conditions across a large part of its lifecycle.
In fact, a lot of car enthusiasts who opt for the 6 speed manual over the DSG gearbox on the 1.5 TSI engined Slavia, Kushaq, Volkswagen Taigun and Virtus do so for this very reason. They just don’t want the hassle that a DSG gearbox can eventually bring. Another reason for choosing the 6 speed manual is for cost reasons. The 6 speed manual gearbox equipped 1.5 TSI Kushaq and Slavia were significantly cheaper than the DSG automatic models. So, enthusiasts could enjoy the sheer power and performance of the bigger 1.5 liter turbo petrol motor without having to spend a lakh or more extra.
What next for the Skoda Slavia and Kushaq?
Next year, both the Skoda Slavia and Kushaq will receive major midlife facelifts. Both cars will get panoramic sunroofs on the top-end trims, along with ADAS. These changes are aimed at keeping the Kushaq and Slavia fresh for a couple of more years before all-new models arrive as full model replacements.
