2013 Skoda Octavia launched in India

Czech car maker Skoda has launched India's first car based on the Volkswagen group's MQB platform, in the form of the 2013 Octavia. The Octavia badge makes a comeback into India, nearly 3 years after it was discontinued. The prices of the 2013 Octavia start at 13.95 lakh rupees, ex-showroom Delhi, going all the way up to 19.45 lakh rupees.

Skoda India will sell the 2013 Octavia in 7 variants that are spread across three engine options. The trims sold in India are the Active, Ambition and Elegance. Bookings of the car have already begun with deliveries to commence from today. Skoda will assemble the 2013 Octavia through the completely knocked down (CKD) kit route at its Aurangabad factory in Maharashtra.

The 2013 Octavia is a much larger car than the model (Laura) it seeks to replace. The larger dimensions means that the space available for the passengers has greatly increased. The car also gets a range of features such as bi-xenon headlamps, panoramic sun roof, power assisted seats with memory function and a full array of safety features including 6 airbags, ABS+EBD, EDL and ESP.

Click here to read Team-BHP's official review of the 2013 Skoda Octavia

The 2013 Octavia is available with three engine options: 1.4 liter and 1.8 liter TSI turbo petrol units and a 2 liter TDI turbo diesel unit. The 1.4 liter TSI petrol engine, tweaked to power cars based on the MQB platform, outputs 138 Bhp of peak power and 250 Nm of peak torque. This engine is available with a 6 speed manual gearbox. The Octavia 1.4 is available in Active and Ambition trim levels. 

The 1.8 liter TSI engine, a more powerful MQB version of the unit that is also seen on the likes of the Laura and the Superb, outputs 178 Bhp-250 Nm and is paired to a 7 speed DSG automatic gearbox. The Octavia 1.8, which is the only model in the current line up to get independent rear suspension, is available only in Elegance trim. The other models make do with a torsion beam suspension set up at the rear.

The 2 liter TDI turbo diesel motor outputs 141 Bhp and 320 Nm, and can be ordered with 6 speed manual and DSG automatic gearboxes. The manual gearbox equipped Octavia Diesel is available in Active and Ambition trims while the Octavia Diesel's AT model will be sold in Ambition and Elegance trims. 

The following represents the variant wise, ex-showroom Delhi pricing details of the 2013 Octavia:

• Active 1.4 TSI MT - 13.95 lakh rupees
• Ambition 1.4 TSI MT - 14.95 lakh rupees
• Elegance 1.8 TSI AT - 18.25 lakh rupees
• Active 2.0 TDI MT 0 - 15.55 lakh rupees
• Ambition 2.0 TDI MT - 16.55 lakh rupees
• Ambition 2.0 TDI AT - 17.55 lakh rupees
• Elegance 2.0 TDI AT - 19.45 lakh rupees