The Škoda Slavia has been turning heads for a few years now, building quite a reputation as a stunning, high-performing C-segment sedan. My time with the Slavia LT left me thoroughly impressed, and the Tornado Red shade gave it that perfect blend of sportiness with a touch of elegance. I often dreamed of giving it stiffer springs and wider tyres to enhance its dynamics. After all, it’s built on a platform that’s home to several VW group cars loved by enthusiasts. But alas, dreams remained dreams, and the car eventually made its way back to Škoda.
Fast forward to 2024, and Škoda has unveiled the Slavia Monte Carlo, a sportier variant celebrating the brand’s success at the iconic Monte Carlo rally, a rally where Škoda has triumphed several times over the past century (112 years, to be exact). The Monte Carlo name is reserved for only the most special models in Škoda’s lineup, with previous editions gracing the Rapid and Kushaq. Now, it’s the Slavia’s turn to don the badge.
The Slavia Monte Carlo just like the regular Slavia is available in two engine variants: the 1.0 TSI and the 1.5 TSI, the latter can be had only with the DSG gearbox. But what sets the Monte Carlo apart from the standard Slavia?
On the exterior, the front bumper now sports sleek piano-black detailing on the lip, fog lamp surrounds, and the signature grille, which contrasts beautifully with the vibrant red paint. The headlamps get a glossy black inner section, creating a cool smoked effect. The side profile remains largely the same, including the elevated ride height (perfect for Indian roads), but there’s a gloss-black insert on the side skirt. The wheels and mirror caps? Also gloss black. A Monte Carlo badge graces the fenders, while the roof gets a stylish black treatment. The rear is equally busy, with blacked-out badging, smoked taillamps, and a piano-black mock diffuser that adds a bold, sporty finish.
Inside, the Slavia Monte Carlo embraces an all-black cabin theme. The ventilated seats sport a striking red-and-black combo, and the piano-black dashboard is accented with red inserts. Red stitching adds flair to the steering wheel, door pads, and upholstery. Even the gear knob and steering wheel ditch chrome for sleek black details. The Monte Carlo logo is proudly displayed on the door scuffs, headrests, and floor mats. To top it off, the pedals get a cool aluminium treatment. All these touches elevate the Slavia’s sportiness, though it’s no vRS, it’s still one of the sportiest C-segment sedans straight out of the factory.
Sadly, there are no mechanical upgrades. A lower stance and stiffer springs would’ve been a sweet addition, but hey, that’s what aftermarket mods are for! We got behind the wheel of the 1.5 TSI AT, and boy, did it deliver. The 1.5 TSI engine, with its 150PS and 250 Nm of torque, remains one of the most powerful in its class. The Slavia tackled the high-speed BIC circuit with ease, holding its line and bringing a grin to my face. It’s got enough punch to exit corners at great speeds, and the handling is both predictable and engaging. With stickier tyres and stiffer springs, it could be even sharper. What mods would you make to boost the Slavia’s performance? Let us know!
The Monte Carlo edition is priced at Rs 15.79 lakh (ex-showroom) for the 1.0 TSI MT and goes up to Rs 18.49 lakh for the 1.5 TSI DSG variant. It’s a little pricier than the regular models by Rs 1.5-1.75 lakh, but if you’re after a sedan that stands out from the crowd, the Monte Carlo’s sporty upgrades make it a compelling choice. It’s a shade sportier than the Virtus GT, and compared to its rivals, it offers great value too.
