You read it first on MotorBeam. Skoda will launch the new Octavia in India in the first week of October, most likely the 3rd, our source informs us. The Czech automaker unveiled the 2013 Skoda Octavia in India on the 9th of August, confirming sales will start around the festive season. The Octavia nameplate makes a comeback after disappearing for close to 4 years in India, when the first generation model was axed. The Laura will be phased out soon and the vRS and petrol models are already not available. Earlier this month, the company commenced production of the third gen Skoda Octavia at its Aurangabad facility.
Skoda has also opened bookings for the Octavia and one can book the vehicle by putting down a deposit of Rs. 1 lakh. Test drives will start after the launch and the base petrol will be priced at Rs. 14 lakhs. The diesel Octavia will be priced between Rs. 14 – 18 lakhs. This makes the base Octavia more expensive than the Volkswagen Jetta, a car with which it usually shares many components. Of course the current gen Jetta and the new Octavia don’t use the same platform as the latter is underpinned by Volkswagen’s MQB platform which has received several applauds.
The Skoda Octavia will be offered with multiple engine options, however our source informs us that the 1.4-litre petrol and 2.0-litre diesel engines will be initially on offer. The 1.8-litre petrol engine will also be on offer and the Octavia vRS will definitely hit our shores next year. The 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine is the same unit which powers the petrol Jetta, producing 120 BHP of power and 200 Nm of torque. The 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine produces 150 BHP of power and 320 Nm of torque. The diesel engine will also be paired to a DSG gearbox.
The Skoda Octavia will rub shoulders against the Chevrolet Cruze, Renault Fluence, Volkswagen Jetta and Hyundai Elantra. The Octavia boasts of terrific interior space and boot capacity, with splendid dynamics and performance. The 1.4-litre petrol engine might offer only adequate performance but the diesel engine should give the vehicle brisk performance. Skoda is expected to offer a long list of equipment which will help them play the value for money card, yet again.
