Currently reading: Moscow motor show 2012: Skoda Octavia details announced

The next Skoda Octavia will be lighter and larger and will push into more premium markets, while still retaining its value-for-money positioning

The new Skoda Octavia will be revealed for the first time in November before going on sale early next year, Volkswagen Group officials have confirmed at the Moscow motor show.

The all-new Octavia will be the fourth VW Group model to be underpinned by its new modular MQB platform, following the Audi A3, Seat Leon and soon-to-revealed VW Golf Mk7.

The switch to MQB underpinnings should mean the new Octavia will be lighter than the model it replaces, despite an increase in overall size. The new model is being made bigger to around 4.8 metres in length to give the new Skoda Rapid hatchback greater room to breath in the Skoda line-up.

An increase in overall size will also be accompanied by a premium push for Skoda’s global best-seller. Although entry-level versions of the new Octavia will stick to the car’s brief of offering more space than rivals for less money, top-end versions commanding a higher price tag will be added to the range.

Engines for the new Octavia will be taken from the new VW Golf. The staple engines of the range are likely to be a 1.4 TSI petrol with cylinder deactivation technology, and a 1.6 TDI that should slip below the 100g/km CO2 emission threshold even in models not badged as super-frugal Octavia Greelines.

A potent vRS version will top the line-up, using a version of the EA888 turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine destined for the new VW Golf.

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The Skoda Octavia is a dependable, quality car which is comfortable and pleasant to drive

Mark Tisshaw

mark-tisshaw-autocar
Title: Editor

Mark is a journalist with more than a decade of top-level experience in the automotive industry. He first joined Autocar in 2009, having previously worked in local newspapers. He has held several roles at Autocar, including news editor, deputy editor, digital editor and his current position of editor, one he has held since 2017.

From this position he oversees all of Autocar’s content across the print magazine, autocar.co.uk website, social media, video, and podcast channels, as well as our recent launch, Autocar Business. Mark regularly interviews the very top global executives in the automotive industry, telling their stories and holding them to account, meeting them at shows and events around the world.

Mark is a Car of the Year juror, a prestigious annual award that Autocar is one of the main sponsors of. He has made media appearances on the likes of the BBC, and contributed to titles including What Car?Move Electric and Pistonheads, and has written a column for The Sun.

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