The new generation 2013 Skoda Octavia has been making plenty of news all around the world. The latest generation of the Octavia has already been launched in several European markets and while it has always been known that the car is headed our way, it is only now that it has emerged that the car could be launched in India on August 9.
Skoda is betting big on the new Octavia and people from around the globe are of the belief that the latest Octy could very well up the ante in the very competitive mid-size sedan segment. Underpinning the new Octavia is the much publicized MQB platform. The same platform underpins many more new-age Volkswagen group cars.
There is a section of auto industry watchers in India who are of the belied that the 2013 Octavia will be sold alongside the Laura (the last gen Octavia) and this might continue until Skoda India comes up with entry level variants of the new Octy for completely replacing the Laura. It may be noted that the sales of current Laura have already taken a hit with the launch of the new Elantra and the Cruze.
The 2013 Octy is considerably roomier than the Laura and from what we know, various international auto publications are of the belief that the new Octavia is almost as big as the Superb flagship sedan. This means that the upcoming Skoda sedan could be half a shoe size larger than the Chevrolet Cruze, the new Hyundai Elantra and the Volkswagen Jetta.
The engine options for the 2013 Octavia are likely to be carried over from the current car. This means that the new Octavia would get a 1.8 TSI turbocharged petrol and a 2.0 TDI turbocharged diesel engine. Skoda India might also later add an entry level 1.6 Liter TDI turbo diesel engine variant to keep the costs under check.
It is pretty much for sure that the new Octavia will be costlier than the Laura but on the same time, the car might come across as a much more value for money proposition due to its larger size, newer technology and a bigger equipment list.
We just can’t wait for the new Octy to hit Skoda India showrooms. What about you?
