Next-gen Skoda Octavia to be unveiled on November 11

The Skoda Octavia, in its current-generation, has been around in our market since 2013, and despite a facelift back in 2017, it is starting to show its age. Earlier this year, Skoda India's sales, service and marketing head, Zac Hollis, confirmed to Autocar India that the new Octavia will go on sale in India within 2020. The Czech carmaker was originally expected to unveil the next-gen Octavia at the 2019 Frankfurt motor show, though new reports indicate that Skoda will officially reveal the new Octavia in notchback form at a standalone event on November 11, 2019.

Skoda will use an updated version of Volkswagen Group’s MQB platform as a base for the next-gen Octavia, which will translate to the new car sporting marginally larger dimensions compared to the outgoing model. The new Octavia will also get revised styling, which will bring it in-line with Skoda's new design language that can be seen on models like the new Kamiq and Scala, sold internationally. The split headlight and grille design on the current car will also make way for a more traditional headlight layout, with a sleeker and wider grille.

Coming to the interiors, as we had previously reported, the next-gen Octavia will feature a revamped interior. One of the big changes is the two-spoke steering wheel, which is very similar to the unit seen on the Skoda Vision X concept showcased at the 2018 Geneva motor show. The executive sedan will also get a minimalist dashboard with a floating infotainment system and a fully digital instrument cluster. The AC vents have also been moved and will now be placed under the infotainment system.

In terms of engine options, Skoda is expected to offer the new Octavia with only petrol engines and is likely bring its 1.5-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine to India. The current petrol model’s gearbox options – a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox – could also make their way to the next-gen model.

Once launched in our market towards end-2020, the new Skoda Octavia will compete with the like of the Honda Civic and recently updated Hyundai Elantra. As per our previous reports, the Czech carmaker is also slated to launch its midsize Karoq SUV in India by mid-2020.