Skoda Octavia Black Edition to be launched in India in January; Octavia vRS to follow

After launching the new Rapid, Skoda Auto seems to be taking a break. The Czech carmaker is reportedly planning to launch next vehicle in January 2017 and it will be a special edition of the Octavia sedan.

The Octavia range will get Black Edition variant in January 2017, reports Autocar India. The Black Edition is a series of regular Skoda models with sportier add-ons. As the name suggests, the iteration details many parts of the car in black colour. The special edition's roof, ORVM covers, trunk lid spoiler and front grille are finished in black. The vehicle also boasts of exclusive 17-inch Teron black alloy wheels.

The cabin carries over black colour theme with all-black upholstery and sports seats. In addition, the sedan also comes with door sill plates with Black Edition badging. The new edition will carry over the same engine of the regular version. The Octavia is powered by 1.4 TSI, 1.8 TSI petrol engines and 2.0 TDI diesel engine in India.

The Black Edition will be followed by the most potent version of the Octavia suffixed with vRS. The Octavia vRS will be powered by an in-line four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine that develops 217bhp at 4,500-6,200rpm and 350Nm of torque at 1,500-4,400rpm, mated to a six-speed DSG gearbox with Tiptronic manual gear changing. The RS version will feature an aggressive-looking front bumper with wider air dam, a darker grille with vRS badge, new alloy wheel design and rear spoiler.

The company has recently unveiled a facelift version of the Octavia for global markets with split headlamp design. The facelift version is expected in India by 2017 end or early 2018 only.