Škoda Auto India showcases Slavia, Superb and Octavia RS in Mumbai

MUMBAI: Škoda put the pedal to the cultural metal. Rather than rolling out its latest sedans with the usual launch lights and spec sheets, Škoda Auto India turned Mumbai’s Royal Opera House into a stage for heritage, music, dance and automotive craftsmanship.

The showcase brought together the new Slavia, all-new Superb and Octavia RS, with the three sedans presented as representatives of Škoda’s long-standing connection with the body style. The event also marked the return of the Superb and Octavia RS nameplates to India.

The choice of venue was deliberate. The Royal Opera House, with a performance-art legacy dating back to 1911, provided the backdrop for Škoda’s own automotive history, which stretches back more than 130 years. The Superb nameplate itself dates to 1934, giving the brand more than 90 years of history with the model.

“The new Slavia, with the all-new Superb and the iconic Octavia RS, carries forward Škoda Auto India’s proud sedan legacy,” said Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Škoda Auto India. He said the brand chose the venue to draw a parallel between its cars and performance arts, including orchestral music, ballet, Bharatanatyam, Kathak and the sitar.

The evening replaced the conventional product-launch format with performances inspired by Indian and European cultural traditions. Bharatanatyam, Kathak, ballet and waltz shared the stage with orchestral music, while sitar player Rishab Sharma provided the finale.

Sharma has previously collaborated with Škoda, having brought the Octavia RS to life through a racetrack performance in 2025. In 2026, his LED sitar was used to showcase the Kodiaq RS. His return for the latest event extended that association, with the brand using music and performance as a metaphor for the precision, emotion and craftsmanship it associates with its cars.

The showcase also comes as Škoda continues to maintain a strong sedan focus even as SUVs dominate the Indian passenger vehicle market. The brand currently positions the three models at different ends of the sedan spectrum, the Slavia as a value-focused offering, the Superb as a luxury proposition and the Octavia RS as the performance-led model.

The event therefore doubled as a statement of intent from Škoda Auto India: while the market may be leaning heavily towards SUVs, the brand is continuing to cater to buyers who value traditional sedan proportions, driving engagement and design.

By placing its cars alongside art forms shaped over generations, Škoda sought to draw a line between automotive engineering and performance turning a product showcase into a celebration of the heritage, craftsmanship and culture surrounding its sedan portfolio.