The all new Skoda Octavia - Building on a
rich legacy
In
January 1959, the very first Octavia rolled off the production facility in
Mladá Boleslav. The marque derived its naming nomenclature from the Latin word
'Octavia' that meant 'the eighth'. It was the eighth vehicle in Skoda Auto’s
product portfolio post second world war, as well as the eighth vehicle to
feature state of the art independent suspension for all the wheels. Further,
technical innovations such as the front axle with coil springs and torsion bar
stabiliser lend Octavia unmatched driving dynamics and riding comfort. The
Geneva Motor Show, the following year, saw the premiere of the sporty Skoda
Octavia Touring Sport (TS). The much powerful iteration secured a hat trick in
the Monte Carlo rally with class victories in 1961, 1962, and 1963.
The
nameplate resurrected, and the first generation Octavia of the modern era was
introduced in 1996 - after Skoda Auto had become part of the Volkswagen Group.
In 2001, the Czech auto major made way to the Indian subcontinent with the Octavia.
It soon proved its mettle as a perfect blend of the brand's timeless design
ideals, unbending performance, superior built quality, enhance safety and
security modules, and European craftsmanship - all at a competitive price
point, thereby establishing a unique 'value luxury' position for the brand
among the domestic audience. The Octavia marked Skoda AutoIndia's foray into
the popular executive sedan segment and garnered much appreciation from brand
loyalist and auto enthusiasts from across the nation.
The
success story continued with the second generation of the Skoda Octavia,
introduced in 2006. The new Octavia, a model range that had become synonymous
with the brand, pushed the innovation envelope much further, more so with the
introduction of direct injection technology on petrol vehicles as well as
automatic dual clutch transmission (DSG). The third generation Skoda Octavia set
new benchmarks for functionality, practicality, and spaciousness in its
segment, and the RS moniker combined unparalleled value proposition with pulse
racing like none another.
About
6.5 million units of the Skoda Auto's bestseller, the Octavia, have been
produced the world over - across manufacturing facilities in China, India,
Russia, and Kazakhstan.A proof of this car's popularity lies in the fact that
100,000 units of the Skoda Octavia have made their way into homes here in
India.