High octane: All-new Skoda Octavia set to make it to the Indian market in 2020

Skoda recently showcased the latest Octavia to the world, and we know for a fact that this beast of a machine will make it to Indian roads next year!

Now in its fourth generation avatar, the Skoda Octavia promises to be more spacious, more connected and as handsome as ever.

Design aspect
The manufacturer continues to offer its razor-sharp styling and the Octavia looks absolutely stunning with a new front apron, narrower LED headlights with DRLs, a sloping almost coupe-like roofline, pronounced muscular character lines and of course exotic looking 19-inch alloys.

The car is larger than its predecessor and it carries a nice sporty stance that adds an aura of dynamism to the overall visual package.

Plush interiors
The new vehicle comes with a futuristic-looking multi-level dashboard which is modular and has a large free-standing central display along with a virtual cockpit.

Dashes of chrome, rich plastics and other fine soft-touch materials ensure that the cabin itself carries an air of opulence and to further accentuate the premium-ness, the Octavia is offered with a new LED ambient lighting system with ten different colours to choose from.

It also gets a high-end audio system, a two-spoke steering wheels, a high-end multi-media interface and the optional pack includes massage seats, a heads-up display and tri-zone climatic control.

Under the hood
Internationally, the car will be offered with a slew of new engine offerings including a plug-in hybrid version.

We are hoping that this version also makes its debut in India as it combines the 1.4 TSI petrol engine with an electric drive motor to offer a combined output of 204 PS!

Other petrol options include a 1.0 TSI and 1.5 TSI unit. For diesel lovers, there is a 2.0 TDI motor on offer that is available in different states of tune ranging from a 116 PS version all the way to a 200 PS version!

For India, we expect the Octavia will get the 150 PS version similar to the one that does duty in the Kodiaq.

On offer in the new model is a cutting edge new shift-by-wire DSG transmission which comes with a new control module that uses a small rocker to select drive modes.

Feature heavy
Skoda prides themselves on offering some rather innovative features in their products and the new Octavia benefits from this line of thought as well.

Features such as umbrellas in the front doors, door brushes, a ‘lorry size’ pump nozzle and an integrated funnel in the wiper fluid tank are some of these innovative touches.

On the safety front, the Octavia gets collision avoidance assist, turn assist, exit warning, predictive cruise control, nine airbags as well as emergency assist systems making it a rather safe bit of machinery.

The new Octavia is expected to be priced between INR 20-25 lakh.

— Praveen Raja