After much anticipation, the all-new Škoda Octavia will be launched in India on October 3.
Škoda Auto India have already announced the car online, but we have driven it in its petrol and diesel guises and have come away very impressed indeed. Apt, that Škoda are calling it the ‘return of the legend’.
The new Škoda Octavia has been launched with a choice of three powerplants: a 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine with 143 PS and 320 Nm of torque, a 1.4-litre TSI petrol with 140 PS and 250 Nm and a larger 1.8-litre TSI with 180 PS and 250 Nm only in top-spec trim. A six-speed manual transmission will be standard, while the company’s DSG twin-clutch automatic transmission will be offered as an option on the TDI and standard on the 1.8 TSI.
The new Octavia features sharp styling but it definitely belies its size. Inside, the comfort levels are astonishing and the dynamics are definitely among the best in the segment. The new Octavia weighs between 1,200 kg and 1,275 kg and brings uncompromised, solid build quality and performance to the table. The boot space is also a massive 590 litres, and that’s with the rear seats up! The total capacity with the rear seats folded down rises to an even more impressive 1,580 litres.
When it does launch, expect prices to start just about Rs 14 lakh for the base Active trim and going to about Rs 20 lakh for the top-end Elegance automatic trim. It will replace the Laura in the line-up, which means it will go head-on with the Chevrolet Cruze, Hyundai Elantra and Renault Fluence. Read more about our first drive or catch our experience of the car in the October issue of Car India on stands now!
