Skoda to launch next-gen Octavia in India by end-2020 - Report

03/06/2019 - 11:10 Skoda Octavia, Skoda Prashant Singh

Launched in India back in 2013, the third-gen Skoda Octavia is showing its age now. Zac Hollis, Director - Sales, Service & Marketing, Skoda (India), has confirmed that the all-new, fourth-gen Skoda Octavia will replace it in 2020.

2020 Skoda Octavia — The Skoda Octavia will receive 'Skoda' block lettering as a replacement for the brand logo at the rear.

Sitting on the VW Group’s updated MQB platform, the next-gen Skoda Octavia will be slightly bigger in size compared to the current model, which is 4,670 mm long, 1,814 mm wide and 1,476 mm high. As always, the available body styles will comprise a hatchback with a saloon-like profile and a Euro-focused estate. The exterior looks on the next-gen Octavia may have hints of the brand’s latest design cues as seen on the Skoda Scala that is being evaluated for India.

At the front, the higher variants of the car will likely feature Matrix LED headlights like the facelifted Skoda Superb. At the rear, new on the redesigned model will be 'Skoda' block lettering replacing the brand logo, in the same style as on the new flagship sedan. The new headlights and tail lights are likely to be sleeker and much sharper than those of the outgoing model, and the latter should include dynamic turn indicators - a feature that was first seen at Skoda on the Scala.

For the interior of the 2020 Skoda Octavia, there's no doubt that the designers will take a minimalist approach for a sleeker and more upmarket look, not to mention the effectively greater storage space. All-new infotainment systems from the third generation of the Modular Infotainment Matrix (MIB3) with screens up to 9.2-inch and built-in e-sim with LTE connection a given.

The 2020 Skoda Octavia should be available with two petrol and two diesel engines internationally. These would be the Volkswagen Group's latest 1.0-litre TSI petrol, 1.5-litre TSI petrol, 1.6-litre TDI diesel and 2.0-litre TDI diesel units. The 1.5- and 2.0-litre units, which are the ones expected to be offered in our market, may feature 48-volt mild-hybrid technology. What we know for sure, is that a plug-in hybrid variant will be on offer internationally.