COVID19 impact: 2021 Skoda Octavia India launch postponed
The second COVID19 wave sweeping through the country has begun affecting the Indian auto industry again. Zac Hollis, Skoda India's brand director, has confirmed on social media that the fourth-gen Skoda Octavia's India launch has been postponed. The D-segment sedan was to launch in India this month, but the lockdown-like situation across the country has caused the brand to put the Octavia's debut on hold.
This is the second delay in the launch of the new-gen Skoda Octavia. The launch of the sedan was initially planned for the 2020 festive season, but was pushed back to April 2021 with production, supply and distribution channels disrupted globally. With both Skoda-Volkswagen production facilities in Maharashtra we expect the Octavia's production, which began at the Aurangabad facility earlier this month, to have come to a halt or been heavily curtailed.
Aside from its sharper looks, this generation of the Octavia has also grown in size. It's 19mm longer now at 4,689 mm and is 15mm wider at 1,829 mm. The wheelbase is 2,686mm and wheel sizes upto 19-inches will be available. Skoda India has confirmed that the 2021 Skoda Octavia will be available in a single petrol engine option. This will be the same 2.0-litre turbo-petrol motor as seen on the facelifted Superb, making 190PS and 320 Nm, and pairing with a seven-speed DCT.
Notable features on the inside are a new layered design theme with contrasting elements. A new floating infotainment screen(in four sizes) and a two-spoke steering wheel with knurled elements are other highlights alongside other optional equipment like special fabric sports seats, three-zone air-conditioning and a head-up display. The infotainment and the Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster are two 10-inch units with new layouts and controls. The DSG gear-lever has also been replaced by a rocker switch, given the addition of drive-by-wire tech. Space has grown too, there is now more knee room and 600 l of boot space.
The Skoda Octavia will compete with the likes of the Hyundai Elantra and some SUVs like the Jeep Compass and Hyundai Tucson. As for the Octavia RS, Skoda will eventually bring the new version to India after the launch of the standard car.