Skoda India to make broader premium push with Superb and Octavia, diesels may return

Tuhin Guha Updated: February 28, 2024, 09:37 AM IST

Alongside laying out the plan for its new compact SUV slated for launch in March 2025, Skoda India has also reworked its premium car strategy. The firm will now make for a wider role for the Skoda Superb and Skoda Octavia, making for a two-pronged line-up.

New-gen Skoda Superb India launch, diesel under consideration, new Kodiaq

As we reported last year, Skoda India is looking at bringing in the new-gen Skoda Superb. The timelines have been pushed back further, with a launch slated for mid-2025. The Superb, as before, will continue to be sold as a CKD, rolling out of Skoda Volkswagen's Aurangabad facility. The major powertrain choice will be the 2.0-litre TSI with 201PS and 330 Nm.

But given that there is still some demand for diesel in certain regions of India and that they remain a popular choice in higher-end vehicles, Skoda India is also studying a comeback for its 2.0-litre TDI motor with the new Superb. Although, this will be in limited numbers as a CBU. The company could also take this further and add this engine option to the new-gen Skoda Kodiaq that will eventually also launch in India.

Skoda Octavia hybrid, Octavia RS

Unlike last year, Skoda India now seems to be more open to bringing back the Octavia. But since the Octavia's segment has now been overrun by SUVs, the company is still forming a viable strategy for this model. One of the options being discussed, on the backdrop of the less-than-expected enthusiasm towards EVs from buyers generally, is to bring back the recently refreshed Skoda Octavia as a hybrid. This could be a plug-in hybrid with a 150PS 1.5-litre engine paired with a 25.7 kWh battery pack. This should make for a combined 204PS and be good for 100 km of electric-only range.

The company is also open to bringing back the Skoda Octavia RS. But this will be in limited numbers as a CBU while the standard Octavia could be a CKD.

Skoda Octavia, Superb expected prices, Enyaq EV launch

But before the compact SUV launches, Skoda will soon launch the Skoda Enyaq EV in India in the coming months. This is expected to be priced at around Rs 60 lakh. The company has given no indication of how the new Superb and Octavia will be priced but these should cover the Rs 40 to 50 lakh segment.

Also read,

Skoda India's all-new compact SUV to launch in early 2025

New Skoda Superb makes global debut, India launch in 2024

Skoda Octavia facelift breaks cover

Skoda Superb 2021 Full Spec

Price (Ex-Delhi)
Starts Rs 31.99 Lakhs

Displacement
1984cc

Transmission
Automatic

Max Power(ps)
190

Max Torque(Nm)
320

Mileage
15.10 Kmpl

Skoda Octavia 2021 Full Spec