The 2013 Skoda Octavia (known as the Laura in India) will make its global debut in Prague, Czech Republic in the middle of this month. Spy shots of the all-new D-segment sedan have been doing the rounds on the internet over the last two months show us that the car is now bigger, rounder and looks more premium.
While the design for the 2013 Octavia has been influenced by the Vision D concept, its features and underpinnings are based on the Volkswagen’s MQB platform, which will is also support most future models of VW group.
The new Octavia will be powered by the same set of mills that are present in new seventh-generation Golf. These are likely to be a 1.4-litre 138bhp petrol and a 1.6-litre TDI diesel engine. Skoda might also release a vRS 220bhp 2.0-litre TSI petrol version shortly after the global launch. Power will be transmitted to the wheels via a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic.
It is expected that this Octavia will be priced a little higher than the current model, but Skoda will offer more features in this sedan. Also the MQB construction means that it will be lighter by 20 per cent and will improve efficiency.
Skoda will bring this car to India after its global launch in Geneva next year. They are likely to revive the Octavia brand name as it sold better than the Laura badge in the sub-continent.
Image courtesy: Carscoop
