Reference Auto

Cashing in on the festive fervour, Skoda is readying to launch the new Octavia in the country during early October, the price of which is likely to be over Rs 15 lakh and therefore no price advantage will come with the car.

The new Skoda is likely to come in three trims – Active, Ambition and Elegance – and will have four combinations of engine as well as transmission options.

The 1.8 TSI petrol model will come with a seven-speed automatic transmission and the base 1.4 TSI petrol car will have a manual gearbox.

Those flocking for the 2.0-litre diesel car will have the option of selecting between the manual and a six-speed automatic transmission options.

The 1.8 TSI belts out 179.5 PS, the 1.4 TSI 140 PS and the 2.0 TDI offers 143 PS.

The car has been developed based on Skoda’s new Vision D design philosophy and comes with a redesigned grille with a refined Skoda badge, which is the signature design for all new cars of Skoda.

Standard features offered in the new range are electronically adjustable and foldable mirrors, 16-inch alloy wheels, ABS, dual front airbags, traction control, driver’s seat height adjustment, steering adjustment, audio system along with an SD card reader, rear air-con vents, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear lever and a handbrake.

Skoda has opted for rounded edges in a bid to give the new Octavia a snazzier and a contemporary look. 

It is longer (up from 4.5 metres to 4.6 metres), wider (up from 1.7 metres to 1.8 metres) and the wheelbase has been raised by 10.8 cm. This has given more space to the interior cabin. It would also enhance the grip and stability of the new Octavia.

Among the revisions in the new Skoda Octavia, the most prominent ones are the new headlights and tail lamps. 

The base model comes with halogens up front and normal lights at the back. The top-end model has bi-Xenon with daytime LED running lights in front and full LED lights for the tail lamp cluster. But Skoda seems to have retained its signature ‘C’ shaped taillights in both the trims.

The new Octavia will vie in a low volume and highly competitive segment, which include cars like Honda Accord and Civic, Volkswagen Jetta, Toyota Altis, Hyundai Elantra and Chevrolet Cruze, among others. 

So, even if the Octavia registers one of the highest sales in its category, it may not necessarily mean high earnings for Skoda. 

So, with no price advantage but some great looks, the new Skoda Octavia may attract a few more buyers in the Rs 15 lakh category, where sales volume is not too high though.