Škoda Auto have given the Octavia a contemporary redesign and equipment overhaul, not to mention a new choice of drivelines for 2017.
The new Octavia gets a sleek new exterior appearance with more pronounced creases and bold highlghts, complemented by the addition of full-LED headlamps with a wicked split design. The interior benefits from updated entertainment and communication system with the Columbus unit gaining a new centre touchscreen display measuring all of 9.2 inches. The top-end system also gets a WLAN hotspot with a choice of a SIM card module for 4G LTE connectivity. Škoda Connect also provides a plethora of convenience services online. The smart key can also be customised to save vehicle settings.
The powertrains are new too. Four engine options, 115-PS or 150-PS, two petrol and two diesel, have arrived. The first petrol unit is a 1.0-litre TSI three-cylinder with 115 PS. A more powerful 150-PS 1.4-litre TSI unit (also seen in the VW Beetle and Audi A4) is also available. The two diesel options are a 115-PS 1.6-litre TDI four-cylinder and the top-of-the-line 150-PS 2.0-litre TDI. A choice of manual or DSG automatic transmissions are available.
The safety tech department also sees several additions. Predictive pedestrian protection joins the Front Assist, and the rear radar, Blind-spot Detection and Rear Traffic Alert help with lane-changing. There’s also the Dynamic Chassis Control with three modes: Comfort, Normal, and Sport modes, that allow regulation of steering and damping characteristics for a more optimised feel in either relaxed or sporty driving.
The new Octavia should arrive in India next year. The 1.4 TSI and 2.0 TDI motors, both with 150 PS, will be the likely débutants.
Story: Jim Gorde
