Skoda Octavia Facelift launch on July 13

Gets additional features and some cosmetic changes but engine options remain the same

Every iteration of the Skoda Octavia has managed to find its way into the hearts of the Indian car buying audience. The Czech car maker launched the new-generation Octavia based on the MQB platform in 2013. With the executive sedan starting to show its age as far as equipment is concerned, Skoda has given it a mild makeover. The facelifted Octavia will be launched on July 13. We have already driven the car in Chandigarh, follow this link for a detailed review.

While the overall silhouette of the Skoda Octavia facelift remains unchanged, look closer and you will start to notice the differences. Up front, it now comes with split LED headlights with separate barrels for low and high beams. It also gets LED DRLs and fog lamps on the bumper. The facelifted model also gets the new glossy black finish on the grille, new design for the alloy wheels and re-profiled LED tail lamps.

Inside the cabin, the centre of the dashboard is now dominated by an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that makes uses of capacitative touch. The car also gets adaptive lighting, a new steering wheel, ambient lighting and steering park assist on the top-spec models.

Engine options continue to remain unchanged. The 2017 Octavia facelift will come with three engine options - a 1.4-litre and 1.8-litre turbocharged petrol motors, and Volkswagen Group's bread and butter motor - the 2.0-litre diesel. The 1.4 TSI comes mated to a 6-speed manual, the 1.8 TSI with a 7-speed DSG and the 2.0 TDI comes paired with a 6-speed DSG.

You'd think that with all the additional features and equipment, the price of the Skoda Octavia facelift would be higher than the outgoing model, but the hike in price will be nullified by the impact of GST. Expect the Skoda Octavia facelift to be priced somewhat similar to the outgoing model.