The Skoda Octavia facelift has been revealed in the international markets. Octavia nameplate has been iconic in the legacy of the Czech carmaker. India witnessed the first Octavia back in 2002. At the time, it became an instant hit with the 44,900 units sold. With over two decades of existence, the demand for the Octavia is still strong. In fact, there was also the performance trim, VRS on sale. This batch was sold out in an instant. Hence, Indian customers love this nameplate. With the new Octavia debuting in Europe, it won’t be a great idea to bringing it to our shores in the coming months as well.
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Skoda Octavia Facelift Revealed in Europe
New 1.5 TSI Engine
One of the most exciting aspects of the new Octavia is the fact that Skoda is offering it with a 1.5-litre TSI engine. It is the same mill which performs duty on the existing Slavia in India. With this powertrain option in the lineup, the Czech carmaker will be able to cater to a wider range of potential customers. The mighty Octavia has always been carrying the large engines with capacities upto 2.0-litre. Therefore, the smaller 1.5-litre TSI EVO2 engine will add a new dimension to how Skoda positions the new Octavia. It comes with cylinder deactivation technology which aids fuel consumption and enhances efficiency. Needless to mention, it would still continue to offer the more powerful 2.0-litre mill as well. The transmission options could include either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG gearbox.
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New-Age Features
As is the case with every update, the Skoda Octavia gets a myriad new amenities. The ultimate aim is to pamper the occupants and offer extreme comfort and convenience. This time around, the new Octavia gets a colossal 13-inch touchscreen with haptic touch feedback, slider to control various functions like volume and AC speed, Simply Clever features like umbrella in door panels, multi-functional boot components, wireless smartphone charging with 15 W output, gadget holder for rear passengers, a wide tunnel to keep your valuables attached to the rear AC vents, a premium dashboard layout with high-quality materials, matrix LED headlamps, striking LED DRLs, fancy taillamps, multiple alloy wheel options including an aerodynamically-optimized set, opulent road presence and more. All these accentuate the desirability factor.
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Absence of Competition
Now, the sedan market and sales have depleted in the last few years after the onslaught by SUVs in almost all segments. This is true not just for the Indian market, but also globally. Octavia has traditionally been present in the segment which had cars like the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, and Toyota Corolla. Now, the competition has evaporated. Therefore, the Octavia will largely be uncontested in this territory. The space between the Rs 22 lakh to Rs 35 lakh category is largely vacant at this point in time. This is a large window which Skoda can capitalize on. There are still lots of buyers looking for an executive sedan in this price range.
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Relevance of Octavia Moniker in India
We can’t forget that Skoda made its India entry with the Octavia. It was later that it shifted its focus to mass market products like the Rapid, Slavia and Kushaq. Traditionally, it has always carried the image of a premium brand. Therefore, not having the Octavia, which was the flag-bearer for establishing the aspiration identity of Skoda in India, is a bit odd. We see a lot of value in offering the model in the portfolio which has been responsible for creating a deep connection with the Indian buyers for all these years.
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RS Models
Finally, we can also expect the RS model to arrive after the regular facelift model launches in our market. We have seen how popular the RS special edition models of the Octavia have been in the past. In fact, they have always sold out in an instant. This demand is driven by driving enthusiasts who prefer performance over everything else. Understandably, this is a niche space. But Skoda controls this niche like no one else. Therefore, a sporty RS iteration, based on the regular facelift Skoda, will also make a compelling business case to launch the new Octavia in India.
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All these factors indicate why it would be a great idea to launch the new Skoda Octavia in India. At present, the Czech carmaker is doing particularly well in terms of sales, thanks to its mass market products like the Slavia and Kushaq. Now that the Skoda Octavia facelift has been revealed internationally, it will make sense to bring it to India too. In the premium sedan category, something like an Octavia has what it takes to capture the entire market, especially since there are barely any worthy or direct competitors. Ultimately, we shall have to wait to know the official stance of Skoda in this regard. We hope to get a clear confirmation soon.
