Skoda India has revealed the all-new fourth-generation Octavia just a day before its launch. Compared to its previous model, the executive sedan has grown in size, gained more striking appearances, loaded with new creature comforts, and gets a more powerful petrol mill.
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Based on the VW Group’s MQB platform, the 2021 Octavia measures 4,689mm in length (19mm longer than its predecessor), 1,469mm in height and 2,003mm in width (+15mm wider); however, the wheelbase remains identical at 2,686mm. Even the boot space is quite generous at 600-litres, which is expandable up to 1,555-litres. Skoda claims that the new Octy will also offer 78mm of more knee room for rear passengers.
Talking about the exterior design, the new Octavia gets a redesigned front facia with a more prominent butterfly grille flanked by new single-piece adaptive LED headlamps & LED DRLs. At the rear lies a new set of LED taillamps with the signature crystalline effect and a SKODA lettering at the center. The sedan now runs on turbine-like designed 17-inch alloy wheels and gets more noticeable character lines that make it looks sharper than its previous model.
Set to arrive in two variants – Style and Laurin & Klement, the Octavia gets five color options – Candy White, Lava Blue, Magic Black, Brilliant Silver, and Maple Brown. However, the base-spec Style trim will only be offered with the first three exterior shades.
Inside, it features a completely overhauled cabin. Dressed up in a two-tone theme, it gets a gentle touch of beige Suedia leather upholstery and contrasts black around the door handles and upper half of the dash. There is a also new 10-inch infotainment system in the center, a new 10.25-inch Virtual Cockpit digital driver’s display, and Skoda’s latest two-spoke multi-function steering wheel.
Other than these, it also gets Android Auto & Apple CarPlay connectivity, connected car tech, a 12-speaker Canton audio system, wireless charging, multi-color ambient lighting, 12-way electrically adjustable front seats with lumbar support & memory functions, dual-zone climate control, five C-type USB charging ports, cruise control, hands-free parking, keyless entry for all four doors, electric boot along with a virtual release pedal, iBuzz fatigue alert, an electronic parking brake with auto-hold, and more.
On the other hand, the safety kit comprises 8-airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, front & rear parking sensors, multi-collision brake, mechanical brake assist, etc.
Skoda offers the all-new Octy with a 2.0-liter turbo-petrol engine (190PS/320Nm) that will transfer the mechanical energy to the front wheels via a 7-speed DSG that also gets a new shift-by-wire system, which will make the shifting more precise. The sedan also features an electronic differential locking system. Skoda is expected to introduce a smaller 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine in the future.
The 2021 Skoda Octavia will square off against the Hyundai Elantra in the Indian market. Expect the brand to launch it's sportier RS variant by the next year.