2013 Skoda Octavia to enter India by mid-2013?

29/01/2013 - 17:28 | ,   | Kaustubh Shinde

2013 skoda octavia official images frontAutocarindia.com reports that Skoda India has started to chart plans to bring the third generation Octavia to the Indian shores as early as mid 2013.

The all new Skoda Octavia was unveiled in December just before the end of 2012. Inspired by the new MissionL design philosophy, the new Octavia has ditched its old PQ35 architecture in favor of the ultra-modern MQB matrix. As a result, the new Octavia has grown in size.

The new Octavia is 90mm longer and 45mm wider than the outgoing model. The wheelbase has also been stretched to 2,686mm thus increasing interior space.

Skoda wanted to push the Octavia further upmarket to make way for the new boy – the European Rapid. Hence, Skoda has used the best possible materials and added cutting edge features to the new Octavia. You can read the complete product deep dive over here.

Of course, it will not head to the Indian shores with the ‘Octavia’ moniker on its tailgate. Skoda chose to drop the Octavia brand in India in favor of the name ‘Laura’. So essentially, what you are looking at is the replacement to one of the strongest contender in the D segment. The Skoda Laura is loved by many Indians (including me) for its supreme ride and handling. The new boy definitely has a lot to look up to.

Autocarindia.com predicts that the new Laura will be offered in four variants

  • 1.4L TSI with 140 bhp
  • 1.8L TSI with 175 bhp
  • 2.0L TDI with 120 bhp
  • 2.0L TDI with 150 bhp

There is also a possibility of a 105bhp 1.6 diesel and possibly a 200-plus-bhp petrol vRS version.

Unfortunately, the interest in a D segment sedan is radically shrinking. Masses are preferring SUVs and crossovers over the humdrum sedans. The most successful product in the D segment is definitely the XUV500 which talks a lot about public sentiments.

In this scenario, can the new Octavia/Laura revive public interest in the traditional sedan?

[Source: Autocarindia.com]

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