Updated 2017 Skoda Octavia Launched: More Features, Better Prices

The 2017 Skoda Octavia can park itself, alter interior lighting to suit the mood, and alert sleepy drivers.

Skoda India has launched the updated 2017 Skoda Octavia. The Octavia comes in eight variants (four petrol and four diesel) priced between Rs 15.49 lakh and Rs 22.89 lakh, ex-showroom pan-India, post GST.

Ex-Showroom Prices of the 2017 Skoda Octavia

Petrol Variants
Skoda Octavia Ambition 1.4 TSI MT: Rs 15.49 lakh
Skoda Octavia Style 1.4 TSI MT: Rs 17.49 lakh
Skoda Octavia Style 1.8 TSI AT: Rs 18.59 lakh
Skoda Octavia Style Plus 1.8 TSI AT: Rs 20.89 lakh

Diesel Variants
Skoda Octavia Ambition 2.0 TDI MT: Rs 16.89 lakh
Skoda Octavia Style 2.0 TDI MT: Rs 18.95 lakh
Skoda Octavia Style 2.0 TDI AT: Rs 20.49 lakh
Skoda Octavia Style Plus 2.0 TDI AT: Rs 22.89 lakh

The updated car has a few design changes and minor mechanical updates, but gets a lot more features. The car is available in three engine options – a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol, a 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol, and a 2-litre common-rail diesel engine. The 1.4 litre comes with a six-speed manual transmission, while the 1.8-litre has a 7-speed automatic, and the diesel comes with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic.

Here's a quick look at what's new with the 2017 Skoda Octavia.

2017 Skoda Octavia: What's New?

Skoda has updated the exterior looks of the car. The front gets a twin-headlamp design, sort of like the old Mercedes E-Class. These headlamp units are full LED units with LED daytime running lamps and turn indicators. The bumper too has been redesigned, with LED fog lamps and cornering lamps as well. In the side profile, nothing much has changed in the car, but the rear has been updated with LED tail-lamps and a mildly redesigned bumper.

Inside, the only visible changes are to the infotainment system, which now gets a larger 8-inch screen with high-gloss finish around the centre console. It also gets ambient lighting, which can be set to different colours all around the car. Mechanically, there is a minor tweak to the rear suspension and track width.

The bulk of the changes are in the features list. The updated Skoda Octavia sports some interesting features such as automatic hands-free park assist. The car can parallel park or reverse perpendicular park itself, without the driver having to touch the steering. The car also features a driver alert system – where it detects if the driver is drowsy and alerts him/her through a message on the MID and warning beeps.

The top-end Style Plus variant sports a large sunroof and eight airbags. The 8-speaker infotainment system, in addition to Apple Car Play and Android Auto, also has a GPS navigation, reverse camera, and a Skoda app which allows users to control the system through their phones.

Watch a Facebook Live walkaround of the 2017 Skoda Octavia here:

(We all love to express ourselves, but how often do we do it in our mother tongue?Here's your chance! This Independence Day, khul ke bol with BOL – Love your Bhasha. Sing, write, perform, spew poetry – whatever you like – in your mother tongue. Send us your BOL at [e-mail] or WhatsApp it to 9910181818.)