Skoda Auto has been readying and introducing products for our market in order to grab more market share for itself. 2021 was supposed to be the year of Skoda and Volkswagen in India after launching their first products under the India 2.0 strategy of their Joint Venture. VW Taigun and Skoda Kushaq are the direct results of that and have already been unveiled earlier last month. In a way, both these brands are starting their new journeys in our market by bringing in India-specific products with heavy localization in order to offer competitive pricing for their products. Next in line was the popular sedan from the Czech carmaker, the Octavia which was due for launch in April. However, Skoda has announced that it has decided to postpone the launch of Octavia in the wake of the worsening pandemic situation in the country. Skoda will announce the revised date of the launch of the Octavia soon. Let us see, what the sedan will come equipped with.
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2021 Skoda Octavia- Exteriors
Skoda is planning to launch an almost similar version in India as their international version. This gives us a fair idea of how the new Skoda Octavia will look like. The front end will feature the modern age sleek LED headlamp design as is common with the Skoda family these days, the centre will host the signature butterfly grille which might have chrome surrounds, the bumper will have. chrome strip running across the full breadth of the car along with fog lamps at either end. The side will feature the new and bold alloy wheels along with the sharp creases and chrome beltline surrounding the windows. The rear, again, will have the latest crystalline LED tail lamps design along with bold Skoda badging across the boot lid. The sporty bumpers and shark fin antenna will round off the rear end of the sedan. Overall, it will be a typical Skoda with all the modern design cues.
Also read: Skoda Kushaq unveiled – All you need to know about the Creta-rival!
2021 Skoda Octavia- Interiors
The interiors of the Skoda Octavia will, as always, showcase the premium cabin along with the clever features. Although clear features are not yet revealed, we expect that the inside of the Octavia will feature the typical Digital Cockpit Instrument Cluster, a large Digital infotainment Touchscreen Display with all the modern connected features like Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Multi-purpose Steering Wheel, Navigation, Voice Commands, Electric Sunroof, Premium Quality Materials, Automatic Climate Control, Leather Upholstery, Powered Front Seats, Connected Car Tech, Wireless Smartphone Charging and a ton more features on the Safety side.
Also read: Skoda Kushaq vs Hyundai Creta – Engines, Features, Specs and Safety Comparison!
2021 Skoda Octavia- Expected Engines, Prices and Rivals
The 2021 Skoda Octavia will most likely come with either a 1.5-litre TSI turbo petrol or a 2.0-litre TSI turbo petrol engine option. We know that Skoda has ditched the diesel engines in our market for good. The 1.5-litre unit is good for 150 hp and 220 N, whereas the bigger 2.0-litre unit makes a maximum of 190 hp and 320 Nm. Both these engines will likely come mated to a 7-speed DSG (DCT) gearbox for the driving pleasure that is expected of a TSI engine. The prices of the new Skoda Octavia will likely start at Rs 18 lakh mark and might go all the way upto Rs 24 lakh, ex-showroom. The list of rivals is not long, in fact, the only other product in the segment currently is the Hyundai Elantra. The Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla Altis have been discontinued in our market.
Also read: Why companies like Skoda, VW, Jeep and Citroen focus on localization!
