Škoda Octavia RS India Launch Date Is Aug 9 - The Legend Is Coming Back

Skoda India, the Czech automaker is all set to announce the all new Skoda Octavia vRS, the fastest Octavia ever to come out of the company's production house. Featuring two engine options - a 2.0-liter TSI petrol version good for a whooping 220 HP and a 2.0-liter TDI mill rated at 181 HP. To advertise this new ride, the company has put up a new ad that goes at lengths to say that the new Octavia RS is a show stopper. The ad is so impressive, it is going to appeal to all those who own those larger-than-life toys and make all those who drool over gigantic ice-creams feel awesome. Heidi Cartledge, Head of Marketing, ŠKODA UK said, "The third generation Octavia vRS is the fastest production model to date so we wanted an advert that would bring to life the idea of enhancing the performance of everyday objects. The specially made props give a tongue in cheek taste of what you could experience if you vRS’d your life." Skoda India has confirmed that the new Octavia will be officially launched in India on August 9th by Skoda’s Chairman of Board of Directors of SKODA Auto, Dr. H.C. Winfried Vahland. This new 2013 Octavia, which is no longer called Laura, is based on the VW MQB platform and therefore promises increased roominess and light weightedness. Compared to the Laura, the Octavia is 90mm longer and 45mm wider.And being equipped with 18-inch Gemini anthracite alloy wheels, acoustic rear parking sensors, automatic post collision braking system, black door mirrors and handles, daytime LED running lights, and dual zone air conditioning, you know that all the standard features are just in place.

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Skoda Rapid Spaceback images leaked. Frankfurt Debut

 

We have been reporting in detail about the upcoming body variant of the international spec Skoda Rapid. This car could be named as the Skoda Rapid Spaceback and today, we have clear images of the upcoming car.

The upcoming Skoda Rapid Spaceback is essentially an estate variant of the Rapid sedan. There is a good chance that this estate is being readied to plug in the gap between the Fabia estate and Octavia estate that Skoda sells in most international markets.


It may be noted that unlike in Indian car market, where demand for estate variants is next to non-existent, these cars have a huge market in Europe. This is due to the fact that estates are a mix of a sedan’s driving dynamics and SUV’s practicality.


Powering the Rapid Spaceback could be the same engines that power the sedan. This means that among other engines, the car would get a 1.2 TSI petrol motor that also powers the India spec Polo GT TSI.

The Skoda Rapid Spaceback could be seen making its public debut at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show which is scheduled to be held in September.

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New Skoda Octavia vRS gearing up for July launch?

Automobile manufacturer Skoda has said that it will launch the new Skoda Octavia vRS at the Goodwood Festival Of Speed stipulated between 11-14 July 2013, as per media reports.

The new Octavia vRS will be clubbed with both sporty feel and a better design.

As per the leaked online images of the car, Octavia vRS will have more prominent bumpers front and rear give, new twin trapezoidal tail pipes, covering brake calipers that are finished in red.

Tthe 2014 Skoda Octavia vRS will be longer than its predecessor. The car will have a larger boot and a roomier interior.  

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2013 Skoda Octavia prices start at Rs 13.5 lakh in UK

Skoda UK has officially revealed the pricing for the Octavia, ahead of the car’s launch in March. The highly-awaited sedan will go on sale in the UK at an attractive base price of £15,990, which is around Rs 13.5 lakh in Indian rupee.

The European-spec Skoda Octavia will be made available in three trim levels: S, SE and Elegance with engine options including 1.2 and 1.4-litre TSI petrol engines besides 1.6 and 2-litre TDI diesel units. While the entry-level TSI-powered Octavia costs around Rs 13.5 lakh, the top-spec 2-litre TDI Elegance costs £21,990 or Rs 18.5 lakh in Indian rupee.


Skoda will launch the 2013 Octavia in the UK on March 16. Given that it is one of the most highly-awaited cars this year, expect Skoda India to launch it here well before the end of 2013. From where we stand, the 2013 Octavia seems to be worth the wait.     

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Skoda unveils special Laurin & Klement edition Yeti

Skoda has unveiled a special version of the Yeti crossover called the Laurin & Klement edition in honour of its Czech founders Vaclav Laurin and Vaclav Klement. This special edition features mostly cosmetic upgrades both inside and outside the car. 

On the outside, the Laurin& Klement edition gets 17inch “Annapurna” alloy wheels, bi-Xenon headlamps and silver roof rails. There are also Laurin& Klement badges above the wheel arches as well as on the door sills. 


Inside, the changes include a gloss black trim for the upholstery, some more badges signifying the special edition status as well as alloy pedals. The car also gets a dual zone air conditioning system, 12-speaker sound system and a large number of airbags. 

Under the hood, the Yeti remains unchanged and will still be powered by 1.2-litre petrol and 1.6-litre diesel engine both producing around 106bhp. The gearbox and underpinnings are also expected to remain the same.

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Skoda plans six new models for 2013: Fabia gets new brand lettering

VW Group-owned Skoda has revealed plans to launch six new models for the current year. European markets will receive these models which will include Rapid compact model, to be released in January, followed by new generation Octavia in March 2013 while a Combi is due in June of the same year. Three more vehicles will come out in quick succession between August and December. These details have not yet been revealed by the company but could include Octavia RS, an updated Superb and a new Yeti.

Skoda has more plans lined up for this New Year where special Skoda logo and branding is to be seen on the Fabia and Roomster. This new logo with innovative lettering is depicted by a winged arrow in a contemporary design. The insignia will also carry the carmakers name, engine types and other details such as TSI, TDI, GreenLine or vRS which will be seen at the rear of these vehicles.

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Skoda looks at localisation of parts to lower prices

To shed its premium tag and ramp up volumes in the Indian market, Czech car maker Skoda is increasing localisation levels and rationalising prices across the range of products it offers in the country.

"We are focusing on reducing the cost of ownership of Skoda products. We are perceived mostly as an urban brand, one focused on the premium end of the automobile market. We are also working on improving localisation levels for our vehicles, the benefits of which would be passed on to our customers. A comprehensive growth strategy to penetrate deeper into the country with our range of products would be in place by the end of the year," said Sudhir Rao, managing director, Skoda India .


Rao declined to specify the quantum of rationalisation planned for the price points at which the company offers its vehicles in India. He said a major proportion of the equity infusion of Rs 300 crore announced recently would be used to source more components locally.


Skoda sells premium hatchback Fabia, sedans Rapid, Laura and Superb and sports utility vehicle Yeti---all priced between Rs 5.29 lakh and Rs 24.74 lakh.

"Organisationally, we are doing a lot of things. New positions have been created in the company over the last few months to focus aggressively on India operations. The position of an India managing director did not exist before. We are finalising the blueprint on new launches. But on the distribution front, we want to expand rapidly and set up 150 outlets by 2014-15," Rao said.

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