- New-gen Skoda Octavia spotted fully undisguised
- To get 2.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine at launch
- India launch scheduled for early-2021
EXCLUSIVE!
Skoda has started testing the all-new Octavia in India, and we’ve got our hands on the first spy shots of the next-gen model on our roads, caught fully undisguised near Pune by Autocar India reader Tushar.
What do the spy shots reveal about the India-spec new Octavia?
Homologation work on the new Skoda Octavia has begun, and Skoda seems to have decided against using heavy camouflage for the test car as it has already been revealed in full abroad, and save for some changes in specifications, will remain largely the same for India as well.
The Octavia seen in these pictures has LED headlights with daytime running lights, LED fog lamps and tail-lights, and is running 17-inch ‘Rotare Aero’ alloy wheels. As expected for India-spec cars from European brands, there also appears to be a slightly raised ride height on this Octavia, compared to the model sold overseas.
How different is the new Skoda Octavia from the old one?
Based on a reworked version of the Group’s MQB platform, the new Skoda Octavia is 19mm longer and 15mm wider than its predecessor. It has ditched the last-gen Octavia’s split-headlight setup for a more conventional layout, and the sharper design brings it in line with the company’s newer models, such as the Scala hatchback and the updated Superb.
While the spy pictures don’t provide a clear look inside the Octavia, what is visible is the dual-tone, beige-and-black interior theme Skoda is likely to go with for the India-spec model. The new-gen Octavia’s interior is all-new, too, and Skoda claims will have more space than its predecessor.
Highlights of the new Skoda Octavia’s interior include the 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster, a 10-inch freestanding touchscreen infotainment system, three-zone climate control, a heads-up display, connected car tech with an eSIM, gesture control, a digital assistant (named ‘Laura’) and wireless smartphone charging.
In terms of safety kit, the international-spec Octavia gets nine airbags, collision avoidance assist and turn assist, enhanced predictive cruise control and predictive pedestrian and cyclist protection. It has also secured a full five stars in the Euro NCAP crash tests.
What will the new Octavia’s engine options be in India?
While Skoda has previously confirmed the new Octavia will get the 190hp, 2.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine at launch, the company could look at offering more engine options going forward. Just like the outgoing generation – which was available with a 1.4-litre TSI engine on the lower-spec models – the entry-level variants of the new Octavia, too, are expected to come with a 150hp, 1.5-litre TSI (which will also power the Volkswagen Group’s upcoming mid-size SUVs). Mirroring the outgoing Octavia range, the new Skoda Octavia’s 1.5 TSI engine is likely to be available with a six-speed manual gearbox, while the 2.0 TSI should be come with a 7-speed DSG automatic.
When will the new Octavia be launched in India?
The previous-gen Octavia – which had been on sale since 2013 – was not upgraded to meet the BS6 emissions norms, which meant Skoda only has the Rapid, Superb facelift and Karoq to sell at present, leaving the Hyundai Elantra and Honda Civic as the only options in the segment. Skoda was originally targeting a late-2020 launch for the new Octavia, but had to push the plan forward because of the complications presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. The new Skoda Octavia’s India launch is now scheduled for sometime between January and March 2021, with prices expected to be in the range of Rs 20-25 lakh (ex-showroom).
Which other models has Skoda lined up for India?
Before 2020 ends, Skoda will also introduce the automatic version of the Skoda Rapid 1.0 TSI, and bring back the Kodiaq SUV in petrol-only, BS6 form. Next year, along with the Octavia, Skoda will also launch the production version of its Vision IN mid-size SUV, and an all-new sedan that’s expected to replace the Rapid.
What do you think of the new Skoda Octavia? Let us know in the comments.
Also see:
2020 Skoda Rapid Rider Plus launched at Rs 7.99 lakh
Skoda CEO Bernhard Maier to step down
New Skoda Octavia RS petrol and diesel versions revealed
Skoda Superb facelift bookings open