The 2020 Skoda Octavia has made its world
debut in Prague. The all-new model builds on the third generation’s design
language and features a much more dynamic and alluring physical appearance. It
looks leaner, meaner and sportier than the outgoing model.
Starting off from the exteriors, the 2020
Skoda Octavia features a Skoda Scala inspired, sharper front-end. Thankfully,
the quad headlamps have been replaced with conventional units. The new
headlamps are sleeker and more angular than ever before, making the car look
more ferocious. They're full LED Matrix units.
The radiator grille seems slightly trimmed
down and more compact. The bumper is more strongly swept back and complements
the overall menacing-looking front-fascia of the car. Also, not to miss its
full LED Matrix headlights set-up at the front, while its traditional C-shaped
signature tail lights now come loaded with dynamic turn indicators.
In terms of the dimensions, the 2020 Skoda
Octavia measures 4,690 mm in length, 1,829 mm in width and 1,470 mm in height.
Its wheelbase measures 2,686 mm. The boot space is 30 litres and expandable to
600 litres.
Stepping inside the cabin of the 2020
Skoda Octavia, there’s a much greater sense of luxury and attention-to-detail.
Serious efforts have been put in the reduction of clutter and increased
digitalisation inside the cabin. Speaking of which, it now features an all-new
layout with floating infotainment system screen. The use of high-quality
plastics and premium materials has upped the ante.
The top-of-the-range Skoda Octavia
features a redesigned, 10.25-inch virtual cockpit, and the car is now available
with a choice of four infotainment systems with screens measuring from 8.25 to
10 inches. Some of the variants feature gesture control or voice control via
the Laura Skoda Digital Assistant. The latest Columbus infotainment system can
display the navigation system’s maps in different level of zoom. The virtual
cockpit has been further improved for a more user-friendly experience.
The all-new model features a luxury
car-style two-spoke steering wheel, three-zone automatic air-conditioning, and
much more. It is the first-ever Skoda equipped with a head-up display (HUD).
Another highlight is a DSG automatic transmission with a shift-by-wire system,
which has allowed Skoda to replace the gear lever with a small control module.
The 2020 Skoda Octavia is based-up on a
reworked version of the VW's MQB platform. In the international market, it will
be available with a slew of engine options, as well as both mild hybrid and
plug-in hybrids variants. There will also be a a compressed natural gas (CNG)
drive option. In detail, the redesigned model will be
available with a 110 PS 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and a 150 PS
1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. Both the engine options will come in
mild-hybrid options as well. Furthermore, the flagship option will be a 190 PS
non-hybrid 2.0-litre TSI unit.
The engine lineup will include a 2.0-litre
unit also which will be made available in three states of tune (200 PS, 150 PS
and 115 PS). The all-new Octavia's plug-in hybrid petrol option will comprise a
1.4-litre engine and a 103 PS electric motor paired to a 6-speed DSG gearbox,
delivering 203 PS of combined output. It is claimed to posses a pure electric
range of 50 kilometres.
In terms of the new safety features, the
Skoda Octavia has received Collision-Avoidance Assist with the full model
change. This makes evasive steering around a sudden obstacle more precise and
easier. This has been offered in a Skoda car for the first time. Also, it now
comes with Turn Assist, Exit Warning, Side Assist and Local Traffic
Information. The safety suite includes enhanced predictive cruise control and
predictive pedestrian and cyclist protection as well.