Built on the state of the art next gen Volkswagen MQB platform, the new Octavia offers best in class interior space (length 1782 mm). Compared to second gen, third gen offers 73 mm more rear legroom and 980 mm more headroom. Apart from this, it features 8 mm more front head room, 39 mm more front elbow width and 26 mm more rear elbow width. Boot space is at 590 liters.
In India, 2013 Octavia is expected to be offered in a price range of Rs 14.5-18 lakh. The diesel motor will be powered by 2.0l engine, generating 150 bhp and 320 Nm torque, while the petrol engine will be seen with 1.8l capacity, generating 180 bhp and 250 Nm torque. Mileage figures are yet to be revealed, but as per European spec model, petrol model should deliver in the range of 15 kmpl and diesel model should give 22 kmpl.
For safety, Octavia will offer ABS, Airbags, Front Assistant/emergency braking function, Lane Assistant, which keeps the Octavia on track, multicollision-braking/automatic brake actuation in an accident, Crew Protect Assistant/securing of the vehicle in an accident situation, and Driver Activity Assistant (fatigue detection). Where multimedia features are concerned, Octavia will feature state of the art music system with speakers. It will have connectivity for your iPod (dock) or any other smartphone (Bluetooth).
Jozef Kaban, Chief Designer, says, “We tried the new Octavia to make way for what we believe to be correct. By car widened and lengthened, got fantastic proportions in which we could improve utility vehicles and property cleanliness and lightness of the new design gives it a strong character. I think the car was decorated after world travel a lot, we’re looking for more suitable combination of design and rationality. Want the functionality of a car and its technical side was supported by the design, and not to seek for spontaneous design later a complicated justification.”
As far as the fate of existing Laura is concerned, it is believed that the new Octavia will go on sale alongside the present generation Laura. But with time, the Laura will be phased out. More information will be revealed at the event in Mumbai tomorrow. Stay tuned for live updates and first images.
