New Skoda Octavia critical to the fortunes of its manufacturer

Volkswagen owned Czech auto maker Skoda is gearing up for the showcase of third generation Octavia in the Indian auto market. The unveiling is scheduled to be held in Mumbai on the 9th of August at Tote on the Turf. Skoda India is, understandably, looking forward to the launch of this car in the Indian market, which can be seen from the promotional poster it released, bearing a punchline that said, 'The legend is back'. The campaigning for the showcase ceremony is gathering momentum as the company is active on social networking platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Also, a test model was spotted doing rounds in an Indian city of late.

Skoda India is hoping to capitalise on the success of previous generation Octavia, in order to provide the right impetus for the new one. It would be safe to say that the company has endured a tough period in the recent past, which resulted in the decline of its sales. The Skoda Fabia hatchback got a muted response from both critics and buyers. In addition, the slowdown in the Indian car market coupled with the financial crisis has further impacted the company's performance.

Industry experts feel that the launch of the new Skoda Octavia could prove to be a fortune-changing move by the auto maker. Currently, the mid-size sedan segment is highly competitive with some amazing cars from several companies. Based on the good run the previous versions of the Octavia have enjoyed, the upcoming model is likely to create an instant impact in the market. It must be noted that Skoda Auto has made certain modifications to the styling of the new Octavia. The new car is bolder, more aggressive and attractive than the previous generation vehicles. Also, the Czech auto maker claims that the new sedan is more spacious and lighter, as well.

The new generation model of Skoda Octavia is based on Volkswagen's Modularer Querbaukasten (MQB) platform. Used by several well appreciated Volkswagen-owned brands as well, this concept utilises a matrix of components to produce cars that are safe, spacious, fuel efficient and have reduced emissions. This platform from the German auto maker has been appreciated by industry experts and analysts from all around the world. Apart from this, the new Skoda Octavia is likely to come with advanced features like airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), lane assist function, traffic sign recognition and cruise control.

No official announcement has been made yet regarding the specifications and variants of the new Skoda Octavia. However, judging from the past and speculations that are doing rounds, Skoda is likely to introduce two engine options. While the petrol variant is expected to be powered by 1.8-litre TSI powertrain, the diesel version is likely to be equipped with a turbocharged TDI 2.0-litre engine. Also, the new Skoda Octavia is widely expected to be launched alongside the existing Laura sedan. Reports suggest that the Laura will be replaced by an entry-level variant of the new Skoda Octavia, which might be powered by a 1.4-litre engine.

To put things into perspective, the soon-approaching festive season is quite crucial for Skoda India. Given the kind of torrid time it has endured in the past, the success of the new Skoda Octavia is necessary for the Volkswagen Group owned auto maker. However, it remains to be seen how the car will perform against the likes of Toyota Corolla Altis, Volkswagen Jetta, Hyundai Elantra, Chevrolet Cruze and Renault Fluence.