So, if you are a VW Group car’s TDI diesel engine lover, then we have good news for you because Skoda Auto India has decided to resurrect its diesel lineup in India, starting with their Superb, which will be launching later this year.
It is not the first time Skoda Auto India’s lineup would see diesel engines. Skoda was once known for its performance-oriented diesel engines in India. Skoda has a history of offering diesel engines in its lineup in India, with models like the Octavia TDI, Rapid TDI, and Kodiaq diesel gaining popularity before the implementation of BS6 regulations.
However, due to the stringent BS6 Phase 1 norms that came into effect in 2020, Skoda and Volkswagen both discontinued their diesel lineups in India.
Under its ‘India 2.0’ strategy, Skoda has been performing well with its petrol engine options but has been missing out on the diesel segment. Their “INDIA 2.0 Strategy” is so good that Skoda Auto is planning to launch a sub-4-meter Maruti Brezza, Tata Nexon rival compact SUV in India next year. The decision to reintroduce diesel engines, albeit initially via the Completely Built-Up (CBU) route, is a strategic move aimed at testing the market’s response.
Are Indians going to buy diesel cars?
The question remains: Will Indians buy diesel cars? There was a time when diesel cars were loved by everyone because of their fuel-efficient and torquey nature.
However, technology has changed, and now some new petrol cars are as fuel-efficient as diesel cars. Not only this but now we have a few hybrid cars like the Toyota Camry (a rival of Skoda Superb), Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, and Toyota Innova Crysta, which are extremely performing and can easily challenge the fuel efficiency of old diesel cars.
Moreover, the power and torque output of new petrol cars are also on par with diesel engines. So, why would people spend their hard-earned money on a hefty diesel engine with high maintenance and a short registration life in India? It’s a big question, especially in the Delhi NCR region where the life of a diesel engine is only 10 years, and after that period, they can’t be used in the Delhi region.
The Skoda Superb 2024, which made its global debut in November last year, offers six engine options internationally, including three petrol, two diesel, and a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV).