Skoda has silently introduced the VW Group’s fully digital Virtual Cockpit instrument panel in the Octavia in India. It is available with the range-topping, fully loaded L&K variant of Skoda’s bread and butter premium model. The Czech automaker has simultaneously introduced the same in Europe, but with its entire premium range: Octavia, Karoq (India-bound), Superb and the Kodiaq. The group’s Virtual Cockpit debuted in Skoda’s lineup with the Karoq mid-size SUV in 2017.
While it is an optional add-on in Europe with a price tag of £450 (Rs 43K), Skoda has not increased the prices of the L&K variant of the Octavia here. The petrol L&K with the 1.8-litre TSI is priced at Rs 23.15 lakh and the diesel L&K with the 2.0-litre TDI costs Rs 25.75 lakh (all prices ex-showroom pan-India). With this addition, the Octavia has now become the least expensive car in the country to offer a fully digital instrument cluster.
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The cluster in question is a 12.3-inch high definition TFT display flanked by LED bar indicators for fuel and engine temperature. The unit is backed up by a quad-core Nvidia Tegra 30 chipset and Skoda promises swift actions through menus. Since it is a digital display it is customisable and the driver can choose from five different basic layouts: Classic, Modern, Extended, Basic and Sports. It also relays the navigation maps from the infotainment system along with plenty of other functions, including music.
Expect the new Virtual Cockpit to be also offered in other premium Volkswagen Group India offerings soon such as the Kodiaq, Tiguan, Passat and the Superb.
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Source: cardekho.com
