The Skoda fans are eagerly waiting for this 2013 Octavia to arrive. Recently it has been reported that the car will be make its first public appearance on the 9th of August 2013. Although it is expected that the official launch of this car will take place only in October this year, to benefit from the festive season in the country. Skoda India, in order to raise the anticipation for this car among the Octavia fans, has used its official Facebook page. The page, it seems, is talking about a contest which will allow the winner to be the first one to drive the 2013 Octavia in India. The page says ‘Calling all car experts! Be ready to test your automotive skills and get to drive the legend – The new SKODA Octavia, before anybody else does. Journey begins tomorrow. Stay tuned! #TheLegendIsComingBack’
Within a day this has already received 4000 likes and the count is on. This contest will begin today.
In India, Octavia was first launched in the year 2002. This was the first gen model and it stayed in the Indian market until 2010. Presently what we have here is the Octavia second generation model and is sold with the name of Skoda Laura. The car name was changed because at that time the first gen car was also on sale in India. So to help the customers differentiate between the 2 models, a new name was chosen. Now in the next few months, “Octavia” name will be seen on the roads again.
The 2013 Octavia will be using the VW platform, MQB, making it the first car to do so. The car will be available with 2 engine options. The first will be a TSI 1.8 liter petrol turbo engine and the second will be a TDI 2 liter diesel turbo engine. The petrol engine offers a maximum output of 180 bhp which is 20 bhp up as compared to the previous model with a similar torque of 250 Nm. The diesel engine offers a power output of 150 bhp which is 10 bhp up as compared to the previous diesel run model while the torque remains unchanged at 320 Nm. The cars will have 2 sets of manual transmission as well a 7 speed DCG gearbox. These will be the top end variants of Octavia which will launched first in the country. Thus the sale of Laura will continue even after 2013 Octavia has been launched.
Post the launch, 2013 Octavia will receive two more engine options gradually. These will be a TDI 1.6 liter diesel engine with an output of 105 bhp and torque of 250 Nm (found in Vento and Rapid). The next is a TSI 1.4 liter turbo petrol engine which will have an output of 140 bhp. Once these lower powered variants will join the line up in the country, 2nd gen Laura will be discontinued.
The car will also offer more leg room as its both longer ( 900 mm) and wider ( 45 mm) than the present model. Octavia models are known for their high capacity boot space. The 2013 Octavia is keeping up with that and offers a boot space of an amazing 590 liter with the seats unmoved. The interiors are exotic with hi tech equipments. This 2013 model will also offer more body colour schemes.
The 2013 Octavia will be assembled at Skoda’s Aurangabad manufacturing unit from completely knocked down kits (CKD). The company has not revealed the car price as if now but since it will be replacing Laura, the price can be expected to be around Rs 14 lacs to Rs 18.5 lacs. Thus it will compete with Hyundai Elantra, Chevrolet Cruze, Toyota Corolla Altis and Renault Fluence.
The vRS version of this 2013 model is already running in the international markets. Skoda has launched the vRs versions of the 1st gen and 2nd gen Octavia models in India. So it can be expected that post the launch of 2013 Octavia, Skoda might bring its vRS version to the country as well.
