The new Skoda Octavia will be launched in India in April 2021, with deliveries to commence soon after. Zac Hollis, Brand Director of Skoda Auto India, recently confirmed on Twitter, “For all those Octavia fans out there, we plan to launch the all new Octavia at the end of next month, with deliveries starting from end of May.”

• New Octavia is longer and wider than the outgoing model
• Will get a 190hp 2.0-litre TSI engine
• Expect the prices in the Rs 18-24 lakh range

New Skoda Octavia: design highlights

Unveiled globally in end 2019, the fourth-gen Octavia is based on a reworked version of the VW Group’s MQB platform and is 19mm longer and 15mm wider than its predecessor. In terms of styling, it ditches the outgoing model’s quad-headlight headlight setup for a more conventional arrangement, bringing it in line with the larger Superb. The upcoming Octavia has already been spied testing in India and seems to largely retain the international model’s styling cues.

On the inside, the cabin layout is all new, with the dashboard featuring a horizontally layered design dominated by digital screens. Skoda’s new two-spoke steering wheel, with knurled scroll wheels, also makes an appearance. Moreover, the India-spec Octavia is expected to feature a beige-on-black colour scheme to help with the sense of space inside the cabin.

New Skoda Octavia: features  

The international-spec Octavia gets a 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster, a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, three-zone climate control, connected car tech, a digital assistant (named ‘Laura’) and wireless smartphone charging. Expect most of the kit to make it to the India-bound model as well.

New Skoda Octavia: engine and gearbox details

The 2021 Octavia will be powered by the company’s 190hp, 2.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Unlike its predecessor, which was also offered with a 143hp, 2.0-litre TDI motor, the new sedan will miss out on a diesel engine, in line with the company’s decision to focus on the petrol segment with the transition to BS6 norms.

New Skoda Octavia: price estimate and rivals

The Octavia was scheduled to make landfall in India by end-2020. However, the pandemic first saw the launch get delayed to early 2021, and then finally to the second quarter. Expect the new Octavia prices to be in the range of Rs 18-24 lakh (estimated, ex-showroom). In terms of competition, it will rival only the Hyundai Elantra, with the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla being discontinued in the Indian market. 

Skoda’s plans for 2021

Skoda is going on a product offensive in 2021. The Czech automaker recently revealed its Hyundai Creta fighter– the production-spec Kushaq, which will launch in June. Then there is the company’s flagship Kodiaq SUV that will return in a petrol avatar. And before the end of 2021, Skoda will also debut its replacement for the Rapid mid-size sedan.