With sharp new looks, higher levels of safety
and technology and one of the most spacious
interiors in the mid-size segment, the new
2010 Skoda Octavia is set to win more fans
Down Under 
 
Due to arrive in the first quarter of 2021
in both standard and RS ‘hot hatch’ versions,
the new Octavia will be packed with tech – including
an Audi-style digital instrument panel and
significant upgrades in equipment and functionality. 
 
And, while the sharpened external styling
of both the wagon and liftback body styles
don’t depart too far from the proven Octavia
formula, the new model’s all-new interior
design is a step change for the Czech brand. 
 
The cabin is now ultra-modern with a move
to twin touch-screen controls and minimalism.  
 
The gear lever has shrunk to reduce clutter
and free up centre console storage.
There are new steering wheel controls, a flowing
dashboard design with LED mood lighting and
a wireless charging pad for smartphones.
Even a seat massage function is offered. 
 
Skoda’s history of Simply Clever storage
solutions continues with bespoke cubbies for
umbrellas and hand brushes, a torch and an
extra stowage area under the boot floor in
wagon variants. 
 
There's even an optional sleep pack that adds
larger rear head restraints and a Skoda branded
blanket for the wagon.  
 
And the levels of fit and finish are far from
Skoda’s traditional cheap and cheerful routes...  
 
Look out Audi? 
 
Borrowing its chassis architecture from the
all-new, high-tech Volkswagen Golf Mark 8,
the standard Octavia will likely be offered
with choice of 1.4 or 2.0-litre two four-cylinder
turbo-petrol engines Down Under. 
 
A plug-in hybrid is planned for Europe but
won’t come here. 
 
The high-performance Skoda Octavia RS flagship
models, meantime, should boast more than 200kW
when they hit local roads later in 2021.
