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You read it first on MotorBeam. Skoda has silently discontinued the petrol powered Laura in India. The Czech automaker has been bold enough to launch multiple variants of the Laura, powered by a petrol engine, even though buyers in that segment prefer to opt for a diesel car. The Laura is the second generation Octavia and with the latest gen Octavia around the corner for an India launch, Skoda will slowly and surely discontinue the Laura from the Indian market. The phase out will be gradual and similar to how it was done for the first gen Octavia, after the launch of the Laura in 2005.
Skoda discontinued the Laura vRS almost six months back and also stopped production of the petrol Laura at the same time. Gradually stock of the Laura TSI started to run out and although the company’s website carries its specs, the vehicle is no longer available. Dealers have exhausted their stock too so don’t expect to find an example lying with a dealer which you can purchase for a bargain. The prices of the Laura have decreased recently to make way for the new Octavia. Dealers are offering lucrative discounts too.
The Skoda Laura TSI was powered by a 1.8-litre, turbocharged, direct injection engine which produces 160 PS of power and 250 Nm of torque. This motor is coupled to either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG transmission. The Laura vRS used the same engine with the same power output but got tweaks to the exteriors, interiors and suspension to give that special feeling. Skoda will definitely launch an RS version of the upcoming Octavia although it might not arrive before next year. The Laura is now available with a 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine only which produces 110 PS/250 Nm in Ambition trim and 140 PS/320 Nm in other trims. The 110 PS engined variant is the most frugal Laura on sale in the country.
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