Skoda has revealed its MY 2017 Octavia facelift, which, obviously, will come to India in the coming months. The new car features more than just a subtle, indistinguishable nip and tuck, and has some design details which make it look significantly different from the current model. The difference is particularly notable up front, with the fascia now featuring an additional headlamp unit and more pronounced LED illumination
For the 2017 facelift version, the Octavia somewhat mimicks the stylistic expression of the bigger Superb. As with the limo, the headlamps have been given the typically Scandinavian crystal look. We also think that the new face has some resemblance with older gen W212 Mercedes E-Class. The car can be had with full LED lighting which would lend the headlights a bejewelled, crystal-like effect. As with the sedan version, the Combi station wagon version (not available in India) also benefits from the facelift. The front grille has been almost entirely reworked and now looks snazzier.
Current Octavia
At the rear, a newly styled, more angular C-shaped motif has been introduced in the tail-lamps, lit with LEDs and featuring great attention to detail. The lines of the body are now straighter and smarter. The wheels have been fit further outside to give the Octavia a wider and more planted stance.
On the inside, the cabin has been refreshed with addition of more modern and feature-rich equipment, which has trickled down from the bigger, more expensive Superb saloon. Apart from the new features and trim, the big news is the additional leg room. There’s about seven centimetre more leg room at the rear which would add to the comfort of the rear seat occupants. The boot size for the new model is a cavernous 590 litres while the Combi gets a massive 610 litres of storage.
For the top of the line variants, at least in the European market, the Octavia gets the option of a heated steering wheel. The front seat backs also get folding seats and the bottle holders now grip the bottles so you can open them with one hand. The key for the new car is customizable and you save some of your settings such as seat adjustment. The Combi variant also gets a removable torch as standard equipment.
The car also gets an updated infotainment system, for all trims . The Swing and Bolero systems have been enhanced, while the sat nav-equipped Amundsen and Columbus (Europe only) systems now have smartphone like capacitive touch glass displays for great responsiveness. The Columbus’ display is now a huge 9.2 inches and the car also comes equipped with Wi-Fi if you so wish.
Engine, transmission and suspension will most likely not be touched. The car will start selling in Europe in early 2017, and will arrive at the Indian shores by early-mid 2017. For India, the engine options will include a 2.0 litre TDI diesel, 1.8 TSI and 1.4 TSI petrol.
Check out the official introduction video of the new car below, followed by an image gallery
