Czech automobile manufacturer Skoda plans to launch multiple vehicles in the Indian market in the coming year. The brand currently has only four vehicles in its portfolio – the Rapid, the Octavia RS245, the new Superb and the all-new Karoq. But recently, the Skoda’s director, sales, service and marketing, in an interaction on the social media confirmed that the Karoq’s 1,000 unit lot has been sold out, leaving only the Rapid, Octavia RS245 and Superb.
To strengthen its portfolio, Skoda now plans to launch the Vision IN SUV that it showcased at the 15th edition of the Auto Expo 2020, the new-generation Rapid and the updated Kodiaq. Furthermore, the brand has also been spotted testing the Skoda Kamiq in the Indian market and along with the Kamiq, we also saw the all-new Octavia being road-tested. Both these vehicles could make their official debut in the Indian market in the coming months.
The new-generation Skoda Octavia was spotted testing between Mumbai and Pune, sans camouflage but the badging had been taped-off. According to the spy pictures, the Skoda Octavia in its new-generation features all-round LED lighting with C-shaped light signatures on the rear which adheres to the brand’s new generation design. The Octavia also features the hallmark crease line that starts from the tip of the headlamp and connects to the tail lamp, a typical Skoda trait. The car is also expected to come with dynamic turn indicators and a SKODA moniker on in the centre of the tailgate.
The Skoda Octavia in the new-generation avatar has already been introduced in the international market and the Euro-specced car features the new design Skoda two-point steering wheel with controls, Virtual Cockpit fully digital instrumentation with in-built navigation and customisable screen layout, a 10-inch MIB3 new-generation infotainment screen, shift-by-wire gear selector, emotive dashboard, ambient lighting, ergonomic seats with massage function, USB-C ports, new design door trims and Canton sound system.
In the engine department, the new Skoda Octavia is expected to be powered by a 1.5-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine that pumps out 150 PS of power and 250 Nm of torque matched to an automatic gearbox. The brand is also likely to offer a 2.0-litre petrol engine that pumps out 190 PS of power but a diesel variant is unlikely to be offered.
The Skoda Octavia was initially slated to make its debut in 2020 but official sources confirm that due to the COVID-19 supply chain disruption the launch has been pushed to Q2 of 2021. The Skoda Octavia rivals the likes of the Hyundai Elantra executive sedan and the Honda Civic in the Indian market which is expected to be discontinued.