Skoda Auto India is all set to launch the fourth-generation Octavia sedan in India tomorrow, June 10, 2021. The new Skoda Octavia, which was supposed to be launched last year, got delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, however, it's finally here now, and we, have already driven it. The new-gen model is bigger, more stylish, gets smarter features, and a more powerful TSI petrol engine. And you can read all about our experience here. So, all that is left to be known about the car is its pricing, and it's important that Skoda gets it right.
Also Read: 2021 Skoda Octavia: What To Expect
The new-gen Skoda Octavia is expected to be priced between Rs. 25 lakh to Rs. 30 lakh (ex-showroom, India)
Now, the new-gen Skoda Octavia is built on the updated MQB EVO platform, which is why the car comes to India as CKD or completely knocked down unit. And that means it will come with a considerable price hike compared to the outgoing model. To give you a perspective, the third-gen Octavia was priced between Rs. 15.50 lakh and Rs. 23.60 lakh (ex-showroom, India). In comparison, the new-gen Octavia will be offered in only two variants - Style and Laurin & Klement (L&K). It is expected to be priced between Rs. 25 lakh to Rs. 30 lakh (ex-showroom, India). This price is also based on what few dealers have told us.
Also Read: 2021 Skoda Octavia Review
The new Octavia gets features like - gets bi-LED headlamps, LED taillights, 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, and electrically operable ORVMs
Now, the car being a CKD might be a big reason for this expected price bump, however, that's not the only reason why. The new-gen Skoda Octavia has come a long way compared to its predecessor in terms of looks, performance, and features. The car gets bi-LED headlamps, LED taillights, LED fog lamps, 17-inch dual-tone alloy wheels, and electrically operable ORVMs. The cabin at the same time comes equipped with premium interior, suede leather upholstery and interior trims, a virtual cockpit with a fully digital instrument cluster, and a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is responsive to touch and easy to read under direct sunlight.
The cabin is plush and the seats and dashboard is upholstered in suede leather as standard. It also comes with a host of smart features
While it misses out on bits like a sunroof and ventilated seats, the car does offer power-adjustable seats for both driver and front passenger, wireless phone charger, USB Type-C ports, dual-zone climate control, and reverse parking camera among others. Also, the gear lever has been replaced by a toggle switch as it gets shift-by-wire technology now. With respect to the safety tech, there are a total of eight airbags, multi-collision brake, fatigue alert, and electronic aids including ABS, ESC, EBD, ASR, and Electronic Differential Lock (EDS) as standard. Features like adaptive lights, the very convenient Park Assist and TPMS are also specific to the L&K trim.
The Skoda Octavia is powered by a 2.0-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine, which is tuned to make 188 bhp between 4,180-6,000 rpm and peak torque of 320 Nm between 1,500-3,990 rpm. The engine is paired with the 7-speed DSG automatic, which will be the only transmission option at the time of launch.
