The 2021 Skoda Octavia might receive two BS6 TSI turbo petrol engine choices in India: 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre
Skoda Auto India has started testing the all-new fourth-gen Octavia on public roads. The D-segment sedan (‘compact sedan’ as per European standards) made its global debut for the 2020 model year back in November 2019. Its performance-focused ‘vRS’ sibling has also hit international markets, in both sedan and wagon (Combi) formats. For the very first time, the Skoda Octavia vRS is available with three powertrain options: 2.0-litre TSI turbo petrol, 2.0-litre TDI diesel and 1.4-litre TSI turbo petrol hybrid.
The Czech-origin brand under Volkswagen AG introduced the first-gen Skoda Octavia in our market back in 2002. Though the regular Indian-spec third-gen Octavia was phased out ahead of BS6 emission norms, the improved BS6-compliant RS245 followed its initial BS4-compliant RS230 vRS avatar. Ex-showroom pricing of the limited-number CBU 2020MY Skoda Octavia RS245 is set at Rs 36 lakh; substantially higher than the RS230.
In the BS6 era, every brand coming under Skoda Auto Volkswagen India group follows a petrol-only product strategy. In fact, Skoda Auto has already launched three new BS6 TSI products: Vento 1.0 TSI, Karoq and Superb facelift. The new-gen Skoda Octavia TSI could be the most awaited product from the brand due to its high popularity.
An all-new Skoda Octavia TSI test mule, with zero camouflage, has been spotted in the country for the very first time. Homologation processes are underway and various sources state that Skoda Auto India is planning a launch timeline of Q1 2021.
Prices for the locally-assembled Skoda Octavia 2021 New Gen should start from just over Rs 20 lakh ex-showroom. The company might launch the Kamiq and Kodiaq BS6 next year while the production-spec Vision IN crossover (showcased at Auto Expo 2020) progresses in development.
Features & Specs
Notable highlights of this particular white test mule include full-LED lighting, 17-inch ‘Rotare Aero’ alloy wheels, relatively higher ground clearance, etc. On the inside, the car packs a 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit digital instrument console, 10-inch touchscreen with gesture controls; three-zone climate control, heads-up display, e-SIM connectivity, voice assistant (interestingly named ‘Laura’), wireless charging and more.
The all-new Skoda Octavia would most likely hit our market in two TSI formats: 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre. In the Karoq compact crossover, the 1.5-litre mill churns out 148bhp @ 5,000rpm and 250Nm @ 1,500-3,500rpm. The 2.0-litre engine makes 187bhp @ 4,200rpm and 320Nm @ 1,450-4,200rpm in the bigger Superb mid-size saloon. Transmission duties are done by a 7-speed DSG (DCT). Base trims might get a 6-speed manual.
