The Skoda Octavia facelift is due for an India launch around July 10. The updated sedan will feature cosmetic updates on the outside, which include a quad-headlamp setup similar to that on the old Mercedes E-class.
This facelift is meant to make the Octavia more upmarket, and to that end, it will be equipped with substantially more kit than before. It will get all-LED lights, a new infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen and WLAN connectivity for smartphone integration, two umbrellas tucked into the doors, a driver fatigue detection system, ambient lighting with adjustable colours, a rear-view camera and a hands-free parking system. The mid-level variants will get additional airbags, taking the total to six from the current four. The top trim is expected to carry on offering eight airbags. The Octavia facelift will also get larger 17-inch alloy wheels as opposed to the current 16-inchers.
Unlike the international car, however, the facelifted Octavia for India will lose out on the radar-based obstacle detection system and wireless charging pads for smartphones.
Engine options in the facelifted Octavia will include the same set of 1.4- and 1.8-litre petrol and 2.0-litre diesel units as the outgoing model, paired with a choice of manual or DSG automatic gearboxes.
The price of the facelifted Octavia will only be disclosed at the launch, and the onset of the new GST rates could result in the updated model being cheaper than the current one.
Skoda is also expected to launch the Octavia vRS around Diwali this year. The vRS for India will feature a 230hp, 2.0-litre, turbo-petrol engine. It will sport the quad-headlamp setup but will get a more aggressive body kit, blacked-out trim bits and larger alloy wheels to make it look different from the regular Octavia. An updated suspension setup will also be part of the package.
Take a closer look at the Octavia facelift in our image gallery.
Rivan RS 
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
