In Mumbai seeing see friends & watching cricket since 17th Dec.

Just an observation out of interest:

Skoda are doing extremely well here!

Octy Mk 1s everywhere (called Octavia), and Mk 2s also very popular (called Laura).

New Superbs also numerous and still called Superb.

Lots of Skoda Rapids here too which are identical to the Indian VW Polos (both with a boot like a small Jetta).

Oh, and Fabias (just new ones) abound too!

Oh, and by the way, the driving is ABSOLUTE MADNESS. There is no right of way. Size rules. Ambassador taxis (from the 50s) mixing it with new S-Class Mercs, pedestrians risking their lives every few metres. Incredible scenes all round!

Worth a look. Trust me!

Edited 28 December, 201213 yr by dunc69

From what I've seen on TV, I would want nothing less than a toyota hilux with thick steel I-beams for bumpers. And a sparco seat and a four-point racing harness.

India seems to be a good customer for Skoda now and we have plenty of Indian Briskoda members as a result. The Laura comes with really high suspension and fairly small wheels along with it. Spec overall seems to be lower.

From what I've seen on TV, I would want nothing less than a toyota hilux with thick steel I-beams for bumpers. And a sparco seat and a four-point racing harness.

And the irony is that safety is very low on the agenda here. Seatbelts optional at best, motorcyclists very rarely wearing helmets. Not sure what the law says. My kids' car seats are objects of significant curiosity! Our host says he's never seen any form of child car seat over here!

India seems to be a good customer for Skoda now and we have plenty of Indian Briskoda members as a result. The Laura comes with really high suspension and fairly small wheels along with it. Spec overall seems to be lower.

Skoda has always had a "bad road package" available for all versions of the Octavia as (IIRC) a free or really affordable optional extra. It's pretty common on the 4x4 model but looks a bit odd without the Scout bodykit to go with it.

And the irony is that safety is very low on the agenda here. Seatbelts optional at best, motorcyclists very rarely wearing helmets. Not sure what the law says. My kids' car seats are objects of significant curiosity! Our host says he's never seen any form of child car seat over here!

Must be quite the contrast to the UK, which even I found to be pretty health & safety focused coming from Finland.

Found the vid I was seeking Indian VRS

it does look high but i see the smaller wheels too.

The guy testing it was taking it too far into the red when he ragged it lol

A lot of car manufacturers are seeing the advantages of the rapidly growing Indian economy as well as the Far East in general.

Offical 'emerging markets'.

Found the vid I was seeking Indian VRS

Interesting that it only gets the 1.8tsi instead of the 2.0.

Indian vs Euro vRS differences have already been discussed in another recent thread. 1.8 TSi has been used as 91 RON Unleaded is prevalent across India, 2.0 requires 95 minimum.

Also due to the roads being so poor there the car runs 16s and I think comes with some sort of rough road package Be a bit of a bone shaker and would probably break quite quickly otherwise.

Frankly I think its pretty good that they have a vRS version available there despite the differences. 1.8 is a very good motor and isnt a great deal slower than a standard 2.0 anyway.

Thought it was quite funny though watching vid that the test car had already been driven into something!

I just checked - the "bad road package" with raised ground clearance is a 250 euro option on the Finnish-spec Octavia. I seem to remember it being free at some point, maybe I'm wrong.

That's a dusty engine bay for a press car, I hope the air filter intervals are more frequent in India!

loved the fact he's parked on the exit of a corner for the photo's.

In Mumbai seeing see friends & watching cricket since 17th Dec.

Just an observation out of interest:

Skoda are doing extremely well here!

Octy Mk 1s everywhere (called Octavia), and Mk 2s also very popular (called Laura).

New Superbs also numerous and still called Superb.

Lots of Skoda Rapids here too which are identical to the Indian VW Polos (both with a boot like a small Jetta).

Oh, and Fabias (just new ones) abound too!

Oh, and by the way, the driving is ABSOLUTE MADNESS. There is no right of way. Size rules. Ambassador taxis (from the 50s) mixing it with new S-Class Mercs, pedestrians risking their lives every few metres. Incredible scenes all round!

Worth a look. Trust me!

The auto riks are all tiny suzuki alto or similar things.

I think it's amazing, completely mental, but truely amazing.

Having crossed a fair few roads there, then I think it's a case of you just walk and people will miss you.

If you try and wait or avoid people, then you end up getting hit.

Interesting that it only gets the 1.8tsi instead of the 2.0.

Indian vs Euro vRS differences have already been discussed in another recent thread.

Yea I started a thread back in April specifically on this topic. Has there been another since it which I missed?

That's a dusty engine bay for a press car, I hope the air filter intervals are more frequent in India!

They are.. but really you just want a bolero in India

Indian roads are like nothing you'd believe, except for a single motorway that runs mostly through gujarat.

Craters, cows, no road surface, dust, mud if it rains.

From what I've seen on TV, I would want nothing less than a toyota hilux with thick steel I-beams for bumpers. And a sparco seat and a four-point racing harness.

From what I've seen, a Centurion tank or a bulldozer would be best!