Skoda Octavia facelift coming next year; all you need to know

Czech automobile-manufacturer Skoda Auto is reportedly working on a facelift version of the Octavia sedan that will make its global debut next year. The upcoming facelift will involve a mid-life nip-and-tuck job to keep fresh the third generation of the Octavia, which was launched in 2013 .

The facelift version of the Octavia will come with a reworked face, the Financial Express reported. The grille will be more identical to the newly-launched Superb flagship sedan. The fog lamps and front bumper design will also be tweaked. At the rear, C-shaped tail lamps will continue to be seen as it is the signature design of all Skoda cars. Changes in dimension are also not expected.

On the interior, the facelift model will be roomier than the current model. It is set to get premium-looking dashboard and soft-plastic for better tactile feel. A new infotainment system with 9.5-inch touchscreen and gesture controls will be a part of the new version. The system will also support Apple CarPlay and Android phones.

The reworked Octavia will get two petrol and a 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine. All the engines will be mated to a manual transmission standard, while the dual-clutch DSG automatic will be offered as an option. Skoda may also prepare a plug-in hybrid version to sell in selected markets.

The arrival of the Octavia facelift in India is expected to take place in 2018. Its prices will be slightly higher than that of the current model.