Skoda Octavia: Next-gen here in early 2021
All-new liftback and wagon have been confirmed for an early 2021 launch in Australia, following a likely reveal in the first half of next year.
Skoda Australia has indicated the next-generation of its most popular model, the Octavia, will be arriving Down Under during the first quarter of 2021.
Paul Pottinger, communications boss for Skoda's local division, told CarAdvice the next-gen small liftback and wagon will commence production for our market late next year.
"Production starts in the backend of 2020 for Q1 2021 launch," he said.
While that's still two years away, it gives us an early indication of when to expect the new model to be revealed – likely to be early next year based on the timeline given by Pottinger.
That puts the Skoda around six months behind the launch timeline of the eight-generation Volkswagen Golf (above), which will share its underpinnings with the new Octavia, scheduled for reveal before the end of the year and slated for a third-quarter 2020 launch in Australia.
We're also expecting the all-new Audi A3 to be launched around the same time as the related Volkswagen, all of which will use a heavily revised version of the current MQB modular architecture as a base.
Further details about the new Octavia are few and far between, though we can expect the new model to score some of the new technology and powertrains set to be offered by the new Golf and A3.
Headlining those new features should be a suite of upgraded driver assistance technologies, which should offer the equivalent of Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities.
Above: Current-generation Skoda Octavia
There will also be upgraded displays and infotainment software in the cabin, and we expect the Skoda to have a slightly different interface and flavour again to the equivalent Audi and Volkswagen.
We're also expecting 48V mild-hybrid powertrain options to be available, for overseas markets at least, though it's unclear whether Skoda will follow its Volkswagen parent locally in waiting for full-electric models rather than offering mild- and plug-in hybrids.
Stay tuned to CarAdvice for all the latest, and let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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