Skoda Laura vRS coming on August 31st! (Upcoming Cars)

WHEN: August 31, 2011

HOW MUCH: Rs 18 lakh (ex-showroom, estimated)

ENGINES: 2.0 TFSI 200 PS petrol, 2.0 TDI 170 PS diesel

COMPETITION: Suzuki Kizashi for driver involvement, Skoda Superb and VW Jetta on price

Performance car fans rejoice! Skoda India is all set to launch the vRS in the country. This understated wolf in sheep's clothing will be powered by  a 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engine producing a whopping 200 PS of power. Max torque is juicy 280 Nm, all of it available from as low as 1800 rpm. There's a 2.0 TDI version as well, with 170 PS and a mountain of torque - 350 Nm to be precise. Both cars promise to be shatteringly quick, Skoda claiming 7.3 seconds to 100 km/h for the petrol and 8.4 seconds for the diesel. Buyers also have the choice of six-speed manual or DSG gearboxes.

On the inside, a full leather package greets the driver and passengers, with leather seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and leather-covered gearshift lever. The sexy red-and-green vRS motif is emroidered in the seatbacks. Xenon headlamps and cornering fog lamps are optional on the vRS sold abroad, but we hope Skoda specifies them as standard on the Indian version. Day time LED running lights are standard however, a style idea borrowed from Group stable-mate Audi.

On th outside, the wider air intake, lower front bumper, 18-inch alloy wheels and vRS badging on the front grille and boot are the giveaways to the intent under the bonnet. Prices will be announced on August 31, but we expect Skoda to price it beow Rs 20 lakh. It has no real competition though. For those looking for a fast, fun-to-drive and understated saloon, without compromising on the practicality of a family sedan, there is no peer to the Skoda Laura vRS.