Skoda Octavia Makes Its Return To India; Launch During Festive Season

By Ganesh

Updated: Thursday, January 30, 2014, 11:16 [IST]

The prodigal son returns. Skoda Octavia, the company's flagship premium saloon will make a return in time for the festive season with several added features. This time the Octavia is being produced locally as well, at the company's Aurangabad facility, along with the rest of the Skoda lineup. The 2013 Skoda Octavia, which is making a comback to India after more than two years, was unveiled in Mumbai yesterday.

The new Octavia is built on VW's new MQB platform and is the first Skoda in India to do so. The new premium saloon promises better interior space than before. The car is 90mm longer and 45 mm wider than the existing Laura. it also has a wheelbase measuring 2686 mm.

Upon launch the 2013 Octavia will be available with two engine options - a 177 HP 1.8 liter petrol unit and a 141 HP 2.0 liter diesel. A 1.4 liter petrol base variant could be introduced at a later date. A 7 speed DSG automatic will be found in the petrol model and a 6 speed automatic will go into the diesel. The petrol engine will not have the option of a manual transmission at all, which is slightly disappointing.

Sudhir Rao, Managing Director, ŠKODA Auto India, said, "The ‘Octavia' model line launched ŠKODA in the country 12 years ago and has enjoyed a cult status in India ever since. The Octavia instantly became a game changer in the segment and revolutionized the Indian automotive industry. Since then ŠKODA has come a long way in the Indian market and the Octavia has always been the heart of our brand. Now, with the new-generation Octavia, which will be introduced in India during the festival season, we promise all of this and much more."

More details will emerge upon its launch in the coming weeks, along with the price details.