Czech automaker Skoda has unveiled the latest generation model of the popular Octavia sedan. In its fourth generation now, the car sports a sleek yet elegant exterior body design that builds upon the previous generation model. The sedan is expected to be showcased during the 2020 New Delhi Auto Expo with a launch event happening in the following months. The international launch of the new Skoda Octavia will happen sometime in mid-2020 and an Estate variant will also be made available, though the latter will not be launched here.
In India, the Octavia has been among the top-selling models for Skoda and the latest generation model is expected to boost that up further. The Octavia sits in the D-segment sedan game where it rivals the likes of the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, and the Toyota Corolla Altis among others. Recently, Hyundai launched an updated version of the Elantra in the Indian market and Honda also launched the new Civic earlier this year. Due to this, the current generation model of the Octavia had started to feel outdated but with the fourth-generation update, the sedan will be back in the game.
Just like every cyclical generation update, the Octavia is bigger, comes with revamped styling, a well-appointed interior and a lengthy feature list. It also comes with Euro 6d-compliant powertrains that are much cleaner than BS6. Speaking of the design, the new Octavia comes with a heavily revamped design. The headlamps are inspired by bigger sedans in Skoda’s lineup and are a single piece unit while the butterfly grille has grown larger in size. Just like its predecessor, the 2020 Octavia comes with a clean profile. The new alloy wheels look pretty attractive and are available in sizes ranging from 17 inches to 19 inches. Changes at the back include split LED tail lamps and a new tailgate.
Compared to the outgoing model, the 2020 Skoda Octavia is a tad bigger than its predecessor. It is 19 mm longer and 15 mm wider. However, the current model has a 2mm longer wheelbase than the new car. Further, Skoda claims that the new car has a 600-litre boot and 78mm more rear knee room. The new Octavia is built on a reworked version of the Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform. Internationally, the Octavia will be available with a host of engine options including a mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid options. The engine options will include a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol and a non-hybrid 2.0-litre TSI engine.
The diesel unit will be a 2.0 litre unit available in three states of tune. There will be a 1.4-litre plug-in hybrid petrol option on offer too The Indian models, however, are likely to only get petrol-engined Octavia. Skoda would offer the 1.5-litre motor and the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engines. Manual and DSG dual-clutch autos will also be offered in India too. Expect prices to start from Rs. 16 lakh.
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