Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited (SAVIPL) exited the diesel market when the BS6 emission norms kicked in from April 2020. Given the strict emission standards and the Volkswagen Group’s diesel gate controversy in 2019, it was presumed that the company won’t bring any more diesel models in the future.
Earlier last year there were reports of Skoda launching a diesel-powered Superb in India. Instead, the Czech carmaker launched only the petrol version of the D-segment sedan in an updated avatar. Launched as a CBU at a price of Rs 54 lakh (ex-showroom), there are no signs of the facelifted Super anymore, as Skoda has removed the same from its website.
Skoda Octavia diesel in India
Now a recent media report suggests that Skoda is intending to re-enter the diesel segment of the passenger vehicle market, not with Superb but another one of its popular sedans. According to Autocar India, Skoda will bring the latest iteration of Octavia with a diesel engine, at least one of the options. This development was confirmed by Petr Janeba, Skoda India brand director.
The report says that Skoda will launch the diesel-powered version of the sedan in India before festive season kicks in, around September this year. Janeba also confirmed that the upcoming Skoda Octavia diesel would be the same model on sale in the United Kingdom. The premium executive sedan will be brought to the country as a CBU through the Indian government’s GSR 870 rule.
The UK-spec Skoda Octavia gets 2.0-litre TDi diesel engine which kicks out 148 bhp and 360 Nm of peak torque. This motor is paired with a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission. Besides the oil burner, the updated Octavia could also get the 2.0-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine which kicks out 187 bhp and 320 Nm of peak torque.
Source: Autocar India
