Skoda calls the Slavia a premium mid-size sedan which already indicates that it is not meant for off-roading or water crossings.
This video of the Skoda Slavia performing a water crossing in Ladakh teaches us some valuable lessons. A sedan is the last vehicle that you would want to take out on off-roading tracks. Its low-slung body, low ground clearance and lack of visibility (compared to a hardcore SUV) are only a few of the reasons why they perform the best on tarmac roads and highway rides. But this video shows how a Slavia owner crossed a river in Ladakh in the sedan.
The video clip has been uploaded by Dhruva Mundodi. In it, a Slavia is seen about to enter into what seems like a massive river crossing which is a common phenomenon in Ladakh. However, the water is dirty and there is zero visibility of what lies beneath. Also, the patch of this water crossing is quite long making it even more challenging. But the video captures the driver taking the sedan across. Toward the end, the water almost reached the height of the bonnet. This, as one would imagine, is utterly dangerous.
Often, in these water streams, huge rocks and boulders could be present which will cause severe damage to the car. Not to mention, there is almost the threat of hydrostatic lock which would cause the doors to lock and the electronics to malfunction. Modern cars control all the features using electrical controls. If that gets damaged, nothing would function. Finally, the flow of the water could easily sweep away a vehicle while the person won’t be able to exit the car. Hence, you must never undertake such risks, especially in the mountains where the water levels could rise suddenly.
Specifications:
The Skoda Slavia is available in two variants – 1.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol and 1.5-litre TSI EVO turbo-petrol. The former outputs 115 PS and 178 Nm, while the latter offers 150 PS and 250 Nm of peak power and torque respectively. While both the engines come mated to a 6-speed manual transmission as standard, there’s a 6-speed torque-converter automatic and a 7-speed DSG option for 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre engine variants, respectively. The prices of the Slavia range between Rs 10.99 lakh and Rs 18.39 lakh, ex-showroom.