Skoda unveils larger, lighter third-generation Octavia for 2013
The new 2013 Skoda Octavia arrives with a longer wheelbase, more interior space, advanced safety features and a range of efficient petrol and diesel engines.
Skoda has officially revealed the third-generation Octavia, introducing a larger and lighter car that brings new safety systems, more interior space and a revised engine line-up for 2013. The new Octavia, which sits on a platform related to the Volkswagen Group’s MQB architecture, is set to reach European showrooms in early 2013.
Bigger body, lighter structure
Compared with the outgoing model, the new Octavia grows by 90mm in length and 45mm in width, with a 108mm stretch in wheelbase. This translates into noticeably more space for passengers: front headroom is up by 8mm, front elbow width by 39mm and rear elbow width by 26mm. Boot space is now 590 litres, making it one of the largest in the segment. Despite the increase in size, Skoda claims the new car is up to 102kg lighter thanks to the use of lightweight materials and engineering.
Design and interior changes
The Octavia’s exterior adopts a sharper look influenced by the Skoda Rapid, with an angular front end and a distinctive upswept window line towards the rear doors. Skoda highlights a new ‘fin’ in the rear window line, intended to give the car a more dynamic stance. The interior continues Skoda’s focus on practicality, with increased space and a straightforward layout.
Safety and technology upgrades
The 2013 Octavia introduces a range of new safety features, some for the first time in a Skoda. These include Front Assistant with emergency braking (available from May 2013), Lane Assistant, multi-collision brake, Crew Protect Assistant and Driver Activity Assistant for fatigue detection. Up to nine airbags can be specified, including knee and rear side airbags. An active front bonnet is also available for improved pedestrian protection.
Engine range and efficiency
Buyers can choose from eight engines at launch: four TSI petrol units and four TDI common-rail diesels. The most economical is the 1.6 TDI GreenLine, which produces 110hp and returns a claimed 3.4 litres/100km (89g/km CO2). The most powerful option is the 1.8 TSI petrol with 180hp. Manual and DSG dual-clutch automatic transmissions are available across the range. All-wheel-drive variants are under development, and a high-performance Octavia RS is scheduled to join the line-up later.
- Third-generation Octavia grows in size but sheds weight
- New safety systems include emergency braking and lane assist
- Boot space increases to 590 litres
- Eight-engine line-up with efficient GreenLine diesel
What’s next for the Octavia
Production of the new Octavia is scheduled to ramp up ahead of its European launch, with further derivatives including the Octavia RS and all-wheel-drive models expected to follow. For more on the Octavia’s expansion in global markets, seeSkoda Begins New Octavia Production in Ukraine and Kazakhstan.
