Skoda to launch Next-Gen Octavia by Early 2020

Czech car manufacturer Skoda which is owned by Volkswagen group is now working on next-generation Skoda Octavia. The new Octavia is likely to be launched early in 2020. The main highlight of the next-generation Octavia would be the fact that it will get a plug-in hybrid variant for the first time.

According to Actualne.cz – a Czech publication – an internal document which has all the details of the cars on which Skoda is currently working and will work in future has leaked. As per that document Volkswagen group does not want to unveil the next-generation Octavia before eighth-gen VW Golf which is facing some technical glitch.

Skoda Octavia is already a great looking car in the segment so it is unlikely that Skoda would make any major changes on the design aspect in the next-gen Octavia. Talking about the engines, there are two petrol engines and one diesel engine available in the current version.

The entry-level 1.4-litre petrol engine also powers the Audi A3 and the Audi A4. It produces a maximum power of 148 Bhp and 250 Nm of peak torque. It is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. There is more powerful 1.8-litre unit too. It produces a maximum power of 177 Bhp and peak torque of 250 Nm. This larger petrol engine comes with 7-speed DSG only.

The diesel engine option is a 2.0-litre unit that generates a maximum power of 141 Bhp and 320 Nm torque. It  comes with 6-speed manual or automatic option. The current generation Skoda Octavia is priced at Rs 15.49 lakhs for the base variant and goes up till 22.89 lakh – all the prices mentioned are ex-showroom Delhi.

Skoda had also launched a performance edition of the Octavia sedan knows as Octavia RS it is approximately Rs 4 lakh expensive than the normal sedan. It is priced at Rs 24.62 lakh, ex-showroom. Octavia RS is powered by a 2.0L TSI petrol engine that produces 226 Bhp of power and 350 Nm of torque.

Main attraction with the next-generation Octavia however will be the plug-in hybrid system that they will be introducing for the first time. With stringent emission norms and government promoting plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles in the country it is likely that Skoda might launch the Hybrid variant in Indian market but only after the international launch. The diesel powered Octavia is likely to be phased out in India from 2020 as the entire Volkswagen group is steering away from diesel engines following tightening emissions and the Dieselgate scandal.