The Hindu Business Line : Let's meet Laura

AFTER launching the turbo-diesel SkodaSuperb in October, SkodaAuto has pulled the wraps off its next, completely new, hi-tech diesel offering for the Indian market.

True to its reputation of being a technology leader in the premium passenger car segment, Skoda has launched the new Laura loaded with a number of industry firsts in the engine and transmission technology departments.

The Laura is a completely new car and is based on the bigger A5 platform of Skoda.

Carrying forward the design heritage and theme of Skoda vehicles, the Laura's exterior design exudes the classic elegance that the company's cars are known for. And yet, the Laura also comes with features that add to its modernity.

A robust, aggressive stance and front profile, large, well-defined Xenon headlamps with power washers, eye-catching, wrap-around style tail-lamps and front turn signals that are integrated into the electrically operated outside rear view mirrors are all features that add the Laura's contemporary design theme.

The plush interiors of the SkodaLaura include such features as dual-zone automatic air-conditioning that allows independent temperature settings for the left and right side of the car, automated one-touch sunroof, rich leather upholstery, a four-way electrically adjustable driver's seat with memory settings, an illuminated, refrigerated glove compartment and a temperature controlled box under the armrest.

Other interior features include cruise control, a music system with 6-CD changer and 12-speaker surround sound package and a parking aid control with front and rear animated display.

Safety features in the SkodaLaura include six airbags, automatic rain-sensing windscreen wipers, an anti-locking braking system (ABS), an acceleration skid restrain system (for preventing wheel slippage), electronic stability programme and a light assist system for automatic headlamp activation in the event of a sudden drop in lighting levels, like when inside a tunnel.

But the centrepiece of the SkodaLaura's technological superiority is the amazing, patented 1.9-litre `Pumpe Duse' or pump injector technology diesel engine.

This patented direct injection technology is so advanced that it does away pressure loss from piping fuel into the engine by incorporating a pump into every injector.

Each cylinder has its own Pumpe Duse unit mounted in the cylinder head and operated by the camshaft, enabling direct injection of fuel into the combustion chamber at high pressures of up to 30,000 psi.

Another first is the Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG). Unlike conventional gearboxes that do the job with one clutch, the DSG has two — while one is in gear during acceleration, the other has the next gear pre-selected.

When the gears need to shift, the second clutch takes the load, while the first pre-selects the next gear.

The DSG is also an automatic with triptronic, allowing gears to also be selected manually.

Priced at Rs 16.5 lakh (ex-showroom Maharashtra), this award-winning car has the potential to rattle competition in the super premium sedan segment.

With the Laura, Skoda just may have let the cat amongst the pigeons.

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