The Indian government has mandated that all vehicles must be E20-compliant by April 1, 2025.The E20 fuel is a blend of 80 per cent petrol and 20 per cent ethanol derived from renewable sources. It is aimed at reducing emissions and promoting cleaner-burning alternatives in vehicles and also to lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional fuels.
The 1.0-litre TSI engine is a 3-cylinder turbocharged unit that powers the Skoda Kushaq SUV and the Slavia sedan. The same engine also does the job in the Volkswagen Virtus sedan and Taigun SUV and can be had with a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic. The engine puts out 114 bhp of power and 178 Nm of torque.
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Speaking on the certification, Petr Janeba, Brand Director, Škoda Auto India, said: “Along with making cars that lead in driving dynamics and safety, efficiency and sustainability have also been at the centre of our product and production practices. TSI technology has been time-tested and proven for efficiency and emissions, while being effectively powered. We have evolved and adapted this technology to various updates in standards and policies across the globe. The 1.0 TSI especially, with its 3-cylinder turbo configuration tuned for power and efficiency is a versatile powertrain, and the E20 certification is a testament to this. We are confident of a similar outcome when the 1.5 TSI is tested, later this year.”
The same 1.0-litre TSI engine is also expected to power the upcoming sub four metre SUV from Skoda. The new SUV will be based on the brand’s MQB-A0-IN platform, which is shared with the Kushaq and Slavia. The SUV will measure less than four metres in length and will adopt Skoda Auto’s Modern Solid design language. The new compact SUV will take on the Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Kia Sonet, Hyundai Venue, Mahindra XUV 300 and other sub-4m SUVs in the Indian market. In terms of pricing, it’s expected to start from Rs 8 lakh for the entry-level trim and up to Rs 14 lakh for the top-of-the-line trim (both prices ex-showroom, expected)